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Staring at an 11-point deficit late in the third quarter of Tuesday night’s Class 1 sectional game, the Eminence Redwings took on a simple motto.
Patience.
Eminence, a team of underclassmen with big-game experience, chipped away at the margin and eventually went up for good, overtaking Bradleyville in the fourth quarter to prevail 75-69 at Mountain Grove High School. A pivotal 20-3 run boosted the Eagles.
Ethan Drake (19) and Wade Dyer (18) combined for 37 points to lead Eminence, helping the Redwings overcome a 22-point effort by Bradleyville senior Alex Lehmann.
“We felt like we were down 25 – the kids did – and we weren’t,” said Eminence coach Pete McBride of his team’s third-quarter deficit, when the Redwings trailed 50-39 with 2:30 remaining. “We were down 11 and there was a lot of time on the clock. You have to handle it one possession at a time. You’re not going to have an 11-point possession.”
Eminence’s rally began when the Redwings closed the third quarter on a 7-1 run, closing within 50-46 of Bradleyville.
PHOTOS: EMINENCE VS. BRADLEYVILLE
Kyndal Copeland’s basket early in the fourth quarter put Eminence up 54-53 and the Redwings never trailed again. Bradleyville’s offense dried up as the Eagles only made one field goal amid a 20-3 Eminence run, putting the Redwings ahead 59-53 with three minutes remaining.
“A call this way, a call that way, it can swing the game in a big way,” said Bradleyville coach Josh Hume, who saw four starters foul out. “Our guys didn’t respond to that in the best way. We just couldn’t stop (Eminence’s) momentum going forward.”
Bradleyville came within two points of Eminence on five occasions down the stretch, but the Redwings sealed the victory at the free throw line.
Eminence made 14 of its final 16 free throw attempts. The Redwings were 29-for-39 at the free throw line overall, led by Drake (9-for-11) and Dyer (11-for-12).
The Redwings, who have been regulars in the Class 1 state tournament this decade, face Advance (24-6 overall) in the Class 1 quarterfinals at 1 p.m. Saturday at Van Buren High School. Advance beat Scott County Central (23-7 overall) 79-60 on Tuesday night.
It’s a familiar spot for Eminence, which won its sixth district title in seven seasons last week. The Redwings, who have no seniors on the team this year, were also state champs in 2013.
“As kids, they’ve grown up and watched us in final fours, in district championships and sectional games,” McBride said. “That helps. They’ve seen it.”
Eminence has persevered through injuries this season. Sophomore forward Trent McBride missed about six weeks with a broken foot.
“It’s made us all better, individually and as a team, with some of our better players out for a while this season,” Drake said. “We’ve just had to play harder, play smarter. It’s made us closer.”
Bradleyville says goodbye to six seniors, five of which were in the Eagles’ starting lineup. After losing in the district finals in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Bradleyville was able to win the Class 1 District 4 tournament last week by beating Dora 77-44.
It was Bradleyville’s first district championship in boys’ basketball since 2003. This 2016-17 Eagles finish 21-8 overall.
“It seems like they played a lot more of a team-style this year,” Hume said. “We had balanced scoring. Everyone had to carry their own load.”
Eminence 75, Bradleyville 69
Bradleyville 15 12 24 18 — 69
Eminence 14 10 22 29 — 75
Bradleyville – Alex Lehmann 22, Caiden Cash 16, Jarell Yeary 11, C.J. Horsey 9, Brady Rogers 8, Trey Boyd 3
Eminence – Ethan Drake 19, Wade Dyer 18, Grant Dyer 17, Trent McBride 11, Kyndal Copeland 6, Robert Keeling 4
Couch falls to Bradleyville
After beating Bradleyville for the Class 1 District 4 championship last Thursday, Couch’s season came to an end in the sectional round at the hands of South Iron.
Couch fell behind 20-6 in the first quarter and was never able to draw even with South Iron. Lady Indians senior Octavia Lowery had 39 points in her final career game. She made five 3-pointers.
South Iron improved 22-5 overall and faces Scott County Central (16-11) in the Class 1 quarterfinals at 2:45 p.m. Saturday at Van Buren High School.
Couch finishes 22-7 overall. The Lady Indians entered their district tournament as the No. 3 seed and defeated Bakersfield, Chadwick and Bradleyville to win the championship.
Ashley Mickan led South Iron with 29 points. She made 13 of 14 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter to help South Iron seal the victory.
As a team, South Iron was 29-for-46 at the free throw line.
South Iron 74, Couch 60
Couch 11 17 4 28 — 60
South Iron 20 16 11 27 — 74
Couch – Octavia Lowery 39, Emily Beal 10, Melody Garrison 4, Kasi Beal 2, Kesha Lowery 2, Lauren Murdock 2, Gracie Harris 1
South Iron – Ashley Mickan 29, Michaela Ayers 14, Jada Brooks 11, Allie Wilfong 10,Callie Miller 6, Dara Miller 4
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