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For the Reeds Spring Wolves, revenge was a dish best served with a tournament championship.
About two weeks after losing 50-45 at Marionville, the Wolves got payback Friday night by defeating the Comets in the title game of the 31st annual Spokane Invitational Tournament.
All-tournament selections Joel Gertson (16), Lane Carroll (14) and Logen Plumb (10) all scored in double figures to lead the Wolves to a 54-43 victory, handing Marionville only its second loss of the season in the process.
“(Winning this tournament) feels even better than what it probably looks like from the outside,” said Gertson, who was named tournament MVP. “To be able to play them in a bigger game, a championship-type game, and to win… it’s great.”
Reeds Spring led most of the game, but was tested late as a quick 5-0 Marionville run – on an Aaron Head 3-pointer and a Cole Brown steal that led to a layup – cut the Wolves’ lead to two (45-43) with about three minutes remaining.
“Not very happy, obviously,” said Reeds Spring coach Barry Yocom. “The biggest thing was, we just got flustered. Credit Marionville, they flustered us there. They went to a three-quarters court trap and we weren’t as aggressive as we had been.”
PHOTOS: REEDS SPRING VS. MARIONVILLE
The Wolves buckled down.
Reeds Spring scored the game’s final nine points – all at the free throw line – and limited good shooting opportunities for Marionville on the other end.
Carroll made 7 of 8 fourth-quarter free throw attempts. The Wolves were 14-for-20 at the free throw line overall as a team.
After losing at Marionville (Jan. 5) and Catholic (Jan. 10), Reeds Spring rebounded with wins over Verona, Cassville and Marionville at the Spokane Tournament this week. Plumb had 25 points and 15 rebounds in the semifinals win over Cassville.
“With Marionville being guard-oriented, we needed to have good post play,” Gertson said. “Logen Plumb and Austin Bradfield had great defense and awesome offense as well.”
The Wolves improved to 12-5 overall with the win. All five of their losses have come by 10 or fewer points. Reeds Spring also defeated Strafford, West Plains and Lebanon to win the consolation side of the Gold Division at last month’s Blue and Gold Tournament.
Friday’s outcome marked the second straight year that Reeds Spring beat Marionville in the Spokane Tournament finals (62-60 in 2016).
“Total team effort,” Yocom said. “I’m proud of the guys and I’m really excited for the rest of this year and to see where this team can go.”
Marionville dropped to 14-2 overall with loss. Brown was the only Comets player in double figures, finishing with 13 points.
Reeds Spring returns to action Monday at Blue Eye. Marionville competes in the Crane Tournament next week.
REEDS SPRING 54, MARIONVILLE 43
Reeds Spring 15 12 9 18 — 54
Marionville 10 10 9 14 — 43
Reeds Spring – Joel Gertson 16, Lane Carroll 14, Logen Plumb 10, Austin Bradfield 8, Cole Nordin 4, Troy Froeschle 2
Marionville – Cole Brown 13, Levi Doyle 8, Josh Goodman 8, Nick Dean 4, Brandon Horn 4, Gavin Stanton 3, Aaron Head 3
CASSVILLE 66, GALENA 50 Â (CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS)
After an 11-all tie in the first quarter, Cassville outscored Galena in the next three quarters to take 3rd place in the Spokane Tournament.
Collin Pearman (18), Trey Dalton (17) and Ethan Hoppes (16) all scored in double figures for Cassville, which improved to 9-7 overall.
Caleb Seaman made five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points to lead Galena.
Cassville 11 20 19 16 — 66
Galena 11 14 15 10 — 50
Cassville – Collin Pearman 18, Trey Dalton 17, Ethan Hoppes 16, Luke Lowery 6, Austin Wilson 5, Skyler Wolf 2, Derek Christy 2
Galena – Caleb Seaman 17, Coby Sartin 8, Caleb Hall 8, Austin Holt 6, Cameron Caulfield 6, Dallas Besperat 3, Luke Burk 2
BLUE EYE 59, VERONA 37 Â (CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS)
The Blue Eye Bulldogs delivered an early knockout blow to cruise to an easy win in the 5th place game of the Spokane Tournament.
Blue Eye scored the game’s first 22 points and led 38-16 by halftime. Four Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Brennan Fairchild’s 19 points.
Verona 3 13 5 16 — 37
Blue Eye 24 14 14 7 — 59
Verona – Eddie Gutierrez 14, Kolton Pinkly 13, Caleb Hillhouse 7, Austin Valdez 2, Chris Werner 1
Blue Eye – Brennan Fairchild 19, Andrew Mitchell 18, Jacob Porter 12, Ryan Reagan 10
