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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It would’ve been a fitting comeback for a team that’s already had a historic season.
Norwood, playing in its first final four, chipped away at a double-digit halftime deficit and pulled within three early in the fourth quarter.
A storybook ending didn’t happen.
Instead, Campbell held off Norwood 54-42 on Thursday afternoon at JQH Arena in the Class 2 Show-Me Showdown semifinals. Blake Fowler scored a team-high 19 for the Camels.
“From start to go, I thought our kids played pretty well,” said Norwood coach Shane Chadwell. “They were ready for the moment.”
Garrett Davault scored a game-high 30 points and nearly helped the Pirates rally from a 13-point halftime deficit. No other Norwood player scored more than five.
“Great player,” said Campbell coach Steve Fowler. “We knew all about (Davault). We just tried to make sure we had someone attached to him all the time and keep someone with him whenever he’d come off screens.
“Just tried to make it difficult for him and keep him out of his sweet spots. He still got his.”
Campbell took the fight to Norwood early. The Camels built a 16-point lead in the first half and led 33-20 at halftime.
As a team, Campbell shot 13-for-23 in the first half.
“We caught a few breaks, some bounces and shots kind of went our way,” Steve Fowler said. “We got the ball out in transition a little bit and found our spot-up shooters and they put the ball in the hole.”
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The Pirates played catch-up in the second half and nearly pulled even.
It started in the third quarter, where Norwood outscored Campbell 14-7 to cut the margin in half. Davault made a deep 3-pointer to close the third quarter.
Then, Norwood guard Jalen Drake hit a 3-pointer in the opening minute of the fourth.
Suddenly, Norwood was within 40-37.
“We battled back after halftime,” Chadwell said. “We matched (Campbell’s) physicality. They’re a physical team and a good team.”
A minute later, Drake had another open look from 3 that would’ve tied the game. This time, he missed.
“We just didn’t step up and hit it,” Chadwell said. “You draw that up again, I’ll take that same shot with the same kid.”
The Pirates’ offense stalled from there, scoring just five points over the next seven minutes.
As a team, Norwood shot 16-for-42 overall including 3-for-17 on 3-point attempts. The Pirates also made just seven of 18 free throw attempts.
“Free throws killed us today,” Chadwell said.
Campbell (23-4 overall) faces Salisbury at 2 p.m. Friday at JQH Arena in the Class 2 Show-Me Showdown championship game.
It’s unprecedented territory for the school from Dunklin County in southeast Missouri. Like Norwood, the Camels are also making their first final four appearance.
Just two weeks ago, Campbell won its first district championship in program history.
With nine seniors on the roster, the Camels didn’t have stage fright on Thursday.
“We had a monkey on our back in our district tournament,” Steve Fowler said. “Once we got that off, you could see the pressure come off our kids. Last night and today, I could tell that they were ready.”
Davault’s 30 points led all players and surpassed his season average (26 points per game).
He could’ve had more if not for an atypical shooting performance. Davault went 1-for-10 from 3-point range and 7-for-15 from the free throw line.
“We’ve rode him all year,” Chadwell said. “He’s got us to this point. He didn’t shoot free throws like he normally does, but he put the team on his back and gave us a chance.”
Norwood (23-5 overall) faces North Andrew at noon Friday at Hammons Student Center in the Class 2 Show-Me Showdown 3rd place game.
The Pirates had a large and loud fan section for Thursday’s game.
“We’ve been itching for this for a long time,” Chadwell said. “There was a Sea of Blue out there. It’s a small community that supports their basketball program and we take pride in that.”
Campbell 54, Norwood 42
Norwood 14 6 14 8 — 42
Campell 16 17 7 14 — 54
Norwood (23-5 overall) – Garrett Davault 30, Jalen Drake 5, Max McGowan 3, Gavin McGraw 2, Jacob Sinning 2
Campbell (23-4 overall) – Blake Fowler 19, Carlos Camargo 11, Skylar Morrison 8, Kaden Siebert 5, Charlie Parker 4, Gavin Biggs 4, Joey Barnett 3
