By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Norwood Pirates beat the Gainesville Bulldogs, 53-44, Friday night to earn their first district title since 2012.
The Pirates jumped out to an early lead in the Class 2, District 10 championship, but a Gainesville scoring drive in the final minutes of the fourth brought the game within four points. Garrett Davault’s clutch work at the free throw line – worth 10 of his 31 total points – helped Norwood to victory.
“We knew they weren’t going to go down easy, and they didn’t,” said Norwood head coach Shane Chadwell of the Bulldogs. “But we hit free throws, took care of the ball, and finished the job.”
Chadwell said this is the Pirates’ sixth district basketball championship in school history. “We have a rich tradition of basketball, but district championships are few and far between. There have been a lot of good coaches and players who have come through here and come up short because it’s who you play.”
This was also the teams’ fourth meeting this season, with Norwood claiming victory in each. “We could probably switch coaches and coach the other team because we just know that much about each other,” said Chadwell. “All respect to Coach Jenkins. He’s won several districts in this gym, and we respect him and his team. They’re a good club.”
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Gainesville head coach Morris Jenkins said his team played well and despite less-than-ideal shooting, the players continued to compete, stayed the course, and gave their team a chance. “Norwood has a good team that’s really well coached,” said Jenkins of Chadwell, who Jenkins coached in high school. “We lost to a really good ball club tonight, but I’m proud of our team for their effort.”
“We had a really good season and won 18 ball games, won the Sparta tournament, and competed well all year,” added Jenkins. “We felt like we were good enough to have a chance but got beaten by some good teams.” The Bulldogs graduate two seniors and return most of their starting lineup next season.
Chadwell said the win was a team effort. “When you’ve got a horse, ride him,” he said of Davault. “And we rode him tonight. But our other guys have stepped up all year to take the pressure off him. Our two guys coming off the bench, Jacob and Zack, do a great job. Justin Chadwell does a lot of dirty work that doesn’t show up in the stats, and McGraw is our second leading scorer.”
Garrett Davault came out shooting in the first quarter, scoring 9 of Norwood’s 11 points in the frame. Wyatt Alms and Bryce Hambelton added a bucket each for Gainesville.
In the second, the Bulldogs narrowly outscored the Pirates thanks to Jake Leeker and Carter Wise’s connections from behind the arc, as well as Landry Jenkins and Bryce Hambelton buckets under the basket. The Pirates went into the half leading 25-19.
Norwood shut down Gainesville in the third, allowing just three points while Gavin McGraw and Davault combined for 13.
The Bulldogs opened the final frame with a 16-point deficit but added seven right out of the gate, including threes from Landry Jenkins and Easton McGee. Carter Wise connected from downtown as well, and Hambelton added six in the paint. With a minute and a half to play, Jake Leeker hit a huge three to bring Gainesville within four, but Davault’s points at the charity stripe helped Norwood hang on for the win.
“I’m proud of my kids,” said Chadwell. “They fought to the end and finished the ball game and we brought home what we wanted, but we’re not finished.”
The Pirates move to 21-5 on the season and take on Newburg March 2 in the Class 2 State Tournament.
Scoring for Norwood: Garrett Davault, 31; Gavin McGraw, 16; Justin Chadwell, 4; Max McGowen, 2.
Scoring for Gainesville: Bryce Hambelton, 15; Carter Wise, 10; Jake Leeker, 7; Landry Jenkins, 7; Easton McGee, 3; Wyatt Alms, 2.
