By Jeff Kessinger (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The grind in practice every day was designed for this moment. Relentless, nonstop pressure defense by the Chadwick Cardinals pushed them to a 104-35 Class 1 District 4 title win at Ozark Friday. Now it’s on to No. 1 South Iron.
“We’re going to go play as disciplined as we can play,” senior Calvin Rains said. “We talk a lot about South Iron in practice. That’s what kept us focused on this game. We’d talk about South Iron and Coach (Shawn Guerin) would tell us we’ve got to get through this one first. Bradleyville was just in the way.”
But only for a little while. Lance Day scored 17 seconds into the contest to give the Eagles their first, and only, lead of the game. Garrett Gardner answered with a 3-pointer for Chadwick, the first points in a 13-1 run that put the Cardinals comfortably in front.
It wasn’t just all offense, though. Chadwick pestered Bradleyville into nine first-quarter turnovers with high-intensity, full-court defense.
“We thought if we could get their legs in the first quarter we’d be fine,” Guerin said. “We know Bradleyville well. They’re right down the road and they’ve got a great group of kids. Their guards are good, but we press and wear teams down. We press, wear the other team down and force them into turnovers.”
Chadwick can get other teams’ legs because they challenge their own on a regular basis. Game conditions have nothing on a Cardinals practice.
“We condition for this. We put these guys through the mill and they respond well,” Guerin said. “They’re just a good group of guys, they work hard and I appreciate them.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Chadwick’s lead was 57-25 at the break as they continued to press, swarm and turn miscues into easy buckets. One of the biggest mysteries of the game, then, was if Jaron Vanhouden would break the 1,000-point barrier. Sitting at 999 points, he drew a two-shot foul late in the third quarter and hit the first one to set off a big celebration in the Chadwick stands.
“It was definitely stressful being at the free throw line at 999,” Vanhouden said. “That was something else.”
The win was satisfying several ways for the Cardinals. It’s their second district title in three years and it was a big win over one of their biggest rivals. Most folks in Christian County know the Chadwick-Sparta rivalry well. Bradleyville means as at least as much to the Cardinals.
“Last year we played our worst game against Bradleyville. This year we played good and I’m glad,” Rains said. “The schools are like 15 miles apart, so it’s such a big rivalry. Bradleyville is our biggest rivalry.”
Rains scored 16 in the win, making him one of four Cardinals in double figures. Paden Gilbert led the way with 24, while Garrett Cardner added 22 and Vanhouden finished with 17. In all, eight different Chadwick players scored.
Owen Smith paced Bradleyville with 8 points. Dylan Hunsaker and Kasey Lehmann added 6 each.
Chadwick visits South Iron March 2 for a 6 p.m. game. The Panthers sit atop the Class 1 rankings and have earned the respect of the Cardinals, though Chadwick is eager to take its shot at South Iron.
“I’m not sure if they’re not the No. 1 team in several classes,” Guerin said. “It will be fun. If my kids work hard, and I think they will, and have the mindset they can do it, we can maybe play with them.”
Box Score
BHS 13 12 6 4 — 35
CHS 26 31 39 8 — 104
Chadwick — Paden Gilbert 24, Garrett Gardner 22, Jaron Vanhouden 17, Calvin Rains 16, Clayton Rains 8, Garrett Guerin 7, Jarin Cunningham 6, Bradley Wiles 4.
Bradleyville — Owen Smith 8, Dylan Hunsaker 6, Kasey Lehmann 6, Lance Day 5, Wesley Jennings 4, Chastin Curtis 2, Braxton Ham 2.
