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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ozark held its own against three national powers and Quinn Nelson had an all-tournament team worthy weekend.
Don’t assume the red and white Tigers are OK with any moral victories, though.
Ozark couldn’t close out an otherwise admirable effort, suffering a last-second 47-46 loss to Wasatch Academy (Utah) – ranked No. 15 nationally in USA Today’s preseason poll – in the Tournament of Champions 5th place game Saturday night.
“(Our players) are disappointed right now,” said Ozark coach Mark Schweitzer. “There were no smiles in there. I know the first night they felt good about hanging with Oak Hill, but we expected to win this game tonight because we believed in ourselves.”
Ozark senior Quinn Nelson scored a game-high 29, but Wasatch’s superior height advantage paid off when it capitalized on repeated offensive rebounds and converted a go-ahead putback with 10.8 seconds remaining.
After a timeout, Ozark brought the ball across the half-court line, but Wasatch Academy forced a jump-ball with only 1.3 seconds left. Time then ran out after an errant Ozark in-bound pass.
“It stinks. You feel bad when something doesn’t go your way and you feel it should have,” Schweitzer said. “But that’s OK. What we have to focus on next time is not giving up two offensive rebounds in that last defensive position. If we pull down that board, game’s over.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Ozark led much of the game, including 28-21 at halftime.
Wasatch Academy erased its deficit in the third quarter by outscoring Ozark 12-4. Ozark went scoreless for the final 6:19 of the period.
Matt Bradley led Wasatch Academy with 14 points. Wasatch Academy (14-2 overall) outrebounded Ozark 30-19.
“We just have to box out harder. That comes down to us,” Nelson said. “We did things throughout the game that let (the lead) get away, so that’s on us.”
Nelson finished with 81 points for the tournament. He joins Glendale’s Monty Johal, who also had 81 points in the tournament, in cracking the top 25 all-time tournament scorers list.
“It’s awesome,” Nelson said. “I didn’t even realize I was close (to getting on the list). Then I saw the tweet about it. It’s something I’m proud to be part of and something I’ll treasure.”
Nelson was consistent and efficient throughout the tournament. He had single-game scoring totals of 25, 27 and 29, shot 17-for-34 from 3-point range and made 16 of 17 free throw attempts.
“I’ve started my campaign about his college scholarship offers,” Schweitzer said. “Someone’s going to get a great kid, someone’s going to get a great basketball player. I think he proved he can play among elite talent.
“All three teams keyed on him and knew about him. He faced the best defense they could throw at him and he still put up numbers. And they were efficient numbers – not 30 or 40 shots, hitting 33 percent of them. I’ll go to bat for that kid.”
Ozark dropped to 10-5 overall and returns to action Friday, Jan. 19 when it hosts Parkview.
Wasatch Academy 47, Ozark 46
Ozark 13 15 4 14 — 46
Wasatch Academy 10 11 12 14 — 47
Ozark – Quinn Nelson 29, Parker Hanks 4, Payton Nichols 4, Peyton Skipworth 4, Caleb Holzer 3, Parker Ramsdell 2
Wasatch Academy – Matt Bradley 14, Damion Squire 10, Marvin Williams III 8, Tyrese Samuel 8, Matija Ilic 4, Maddy Sissoko 3
