Advances to Class 1 Final Four
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Even as the stakes continue to grow higher and higher, Winston’s Redbirds continue to rise to the occasion.
Winston’s Saxton Pliley scores the first two points of Saturday’s Class 1 quarterfinal on a layup as Stanberry’s Alex McQuinn looks on.
Winston held Stanberry scoreless for 3 ½ of the 4-minute overtime and that was enough for the Redbirds to advance to the Class 1 Final Four with a 52-45 victory on Saturday at Bishop LeBlond High School.
Next up for Winston, 28-2, is an 8:20 p.m. meeting with Leeton, 28-2, inside Mizzou Arena, for the right to play for the Class 1 Championship.
Saturday’s quarterfinal started just as many of Winston’s recent games have, and ended just the same.
Winston jumped out to a 14-5 first quarter lead and padded that advantage with a long three-point shot by Jordan Leonard and jumper by Craig Lewis, but things would get interesting in the third period as the Bulldogs were able to shake off a rough first half that saw them miss seven shots within three feet of the basket.
Stanberry rattled off nine straight points to end the third and took a 31-30 lead with Cory Luke’s runner in the lane to open the final quarter. Five minutes, and seven lead changes later, Lewis hit both ends of a bonus foul to give the Redbirds a 40-37 lead.
Kristchon Hisel applies defensive pressure to Stanberry guard Cory Luke.
With 1:07 left in regulation, Stanberry’s Alex McQuinn launched a three-point bomb and drew a foul from Kristchon Hisel. McQuinn calmly hit all three free throws awarded in a crucial situation to tie the game.
Lewis tried to reprise his role of hero from last week’s sectional victory but his shot off Winston’s final possession wouldn’t fall.
Daniel Hailey rebounded for the Bulldogs with less than three seconds left and rifled a quick pass to a streaking Shelby McMillan, but his momentum carried him too fast and too close to the basket. His layup try bounced hard off the backboard and hard off the front of the rim.
Leonard staked Winston to a 44-40 lead early in OT and his hustle after a missed free throw sealed Stanberry’s fate.
The Redbird junior dove for a loose ball headed out of bounds and scooped it to Lewis, who quickly drew a foul and hit a free throw that made it a two-possession game.
The Bulldogs never recovered as Winston hit six of seven free throws in the final 36 seconds.
Leonard led all scorers with 27 points. Lewis chipped in 15 for the Redbirds.
Final 4 Matchups
The Leeton Bulldogs come into Thursday’s 8:20 meeting with Winston on a nine-game winning streak after Saturday’s 65-63 quarterfinal win over Walnut Grove. The Bulldogs defeated Drexel, 56-38, in the sectional round.
Morgan Farrell (center) mixes it up with a pair of Bulldog rebounders during Saturday’s quarterfinal action at Bishop LeBlond.
Leeton’s lone losses this season came at the hands of Appleton City and Class 2 sectional qualifier Wellington-Napoleon.
Winston will again face a taller squad in the opening round of the state tournament. Dylan Swabby, a 6’3”, senior guard, averages 14.4 points per game for the Bulldogs. James Cavender, a 6’2” senior guard, scores at a 11.7 clip. Third guard Trevor Elwell, a 6’2” sophomore, dishes out 4 steals per game.
On the back line, 6’1” senior forward Levi Manley averages 9.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Senior forward Wyatt Fleming, 6’3”, averages 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest.
Meadville, 30-0, faces Advance, 18-9, in Thursday’s other boys’ semifinal game in Class 1. Meadville went 25-3 last season before being blown out by Scott County Central in the Class 1 championship game. Scott County Central is back in the Final Four this season in Class 2.
Advance upset Oran to win the Class 1, District 2 title and defeated Gideon in the sectional round and South Iron in the quarterfinals.