By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
VERONA — After winning the first district title in program history last season, the goals and expectations for the College Heights Christian boys basketball team shifted significantly.
So when the Cougars won their second straight title on Saturday afternoon at Verona High School, their on-court celebration was relatively muted.
“We’ve been there, so we knew that’s where we need to get and that’s where we can get,” senior forward Ethan Meeks said. “This year, we’re looking all the way.”
The Cougars punched their ticket to the state tournament with a 71-57 victory over the Class 2 District 12 tournament hosts, extending a season in which they’ve been downright dominant.
Ranked fifth in the state among Class 2 schools, the Cougars improved to 23-4 — with only one of those losses coming to an in-state school. It was a five-point loss to Class 3 Greenwood, meaning the Cougars are entering the sectional round with zero in-class losses on their record.
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They will face either Blue Eye (22-4) or Crane (13-14) at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at Carthage High School. Those schools were scheduled to meet for the District 11 title later Saturday.
“It’s probably the toughest schedule College Heights has ever had,” coach Eric Johnson said. “That was on purpose, too. You want to play good teams and we did. It pays off in the end here. Kids know how to play well and really hard when you’re playing a good team like Verona.”
The Wildcats kept things close during a wild first quarter that saw 10 lead changes in the first seven minutes, but the Cougars closed the frame on a 9-2 run to take a 24-18 lead into the second. Verona cut the deficit to 27-24, but that was as close as Meeks allowed them to come.
Using his 6-foot-7 frame to dominate the paint, Meeks scored 10 of his team’s points during a 16-2 run that sent the Cougars into the locker room with a commanding 45-29 advantage.
Meeks was not able to play in College Heights’ district semifinal due to an illness, but returned to score a team-high 22.
“He hated missing that one,” Johnson said. “He was going to make up for it tonight.”
Senior guard Miller Long added 18 points and junior forward Curtis Davenport added 16, giving College Heights three players in double-figures.
“We’re at our best when everyone is doing something,” Meeks said. “We’re not one-dimensional. You can’t stop one person. You have to stop the whole team. It works well in our favor.”
Verona, which upset No. 2 seed Marionville to reach the district title game, finished 17-11.
Sophomore forward Jacob Stellwagen led the Wildcats with 22 points, including a highlight-reel layup in the second quarter. Verona freshman Jessy Gamel hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, while senior Jaiden Carrasquillo added 13 points in his final high school game.
“They started off hot,” Johnson said. “Fortunately, we were able to match basket for basket early and then when they cooled off we kept going. Proud of our kids.”
Because of that, the Cougars are district champions. And if they keep going, they could add another trophy to their collection.
“It feels great,” Long said. “I wouldn’t want my senior year to end any other way. I love winning and going so far. Like, 23-4 is just a great feeling. I hope we end up being like 30-4 and getting another championship.”
