Chadwick finishes runner-up in Class 1

By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Chadwick’s unforgettable postseason run ended one win short of its top goal.

But it was a run the Lady Cardinals will never forget.

Chadwick, in and out of the state rankings all season, couldn’t muster enough offense to keep up with undefeated Meadville in Friday night’s Class 1 Show-Me Showdown girls’ state championship game.

Chadwick scored just 14 points over the final three quarters in a 39-28 loss.

“It didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” said Chadwick coach Shawn Guerin. “But I told our ladies that I was more than proud of them for what they’ve accomplished and achieved over the year. They did a whale of a job today. Things just didn’t go our way.”

Before Friday, Chadwick (25-6 overall) hadn’t lost to a Class 1 (or Class 2) school all season.

“No one thought we’d be here except for the people at Chadwick and in our town,” said Chadwick sophomore guard Raeleigh Little. “We proved everyone wrong who didn’t think we would make it here. We did.”

Similar to Thursday’s win over two-time defending Class 1 champion Platte Valley, Chadwick raced out to a big lead. The Lady Cardinals led 18-8 early in the second quarter.

But from there, the offense fizzled out.

Meadville went on a 9-0 run to end the first half, then overtook Chadwick for good late in the third quarter. The Lady Cardinals scored just two points in the fourth.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME

“We got off to a decent start then it seemed like, man, somebody put a lid on that (rim) and we couldn’t get a shot to fall,” said Chadwick coach Shawn Guerin. “I knew it was going to be a tough game. I thought we matched up well with them. They made shots and we didn’t.”

Meadville junior Korrie Holcer scored a game-high 18. Little’s 11 points led Chadwick.

Style-wise, Guerin said Meadville was similar to Chadwick’s quarterfinal opponent: Delta.

“Just like Delta, (Meadville) wants to press you over and over and try to score 100,” Guerin said. “I thought if we kept this thing in the 40s, we’d have a chance. If we make a few more layups, we may be talking about a different trophy.”

Chadwick shot 11-for-38 from the field overall, but only 4-for-19 in the second half. The Lady Cardinals’ 28 points were a season low.

“We hang our hat on our defense. When it counted, I think we held Chadwick to eight or nine straight possessions without a bucket in the fourth,” said Meadville coach Steve Carvajal. “That was huge.”

Meadville (31-0 overall, No. 1 Class 1 state poll) struggled to make shots as well, going just 11-for-37 from the field overall. Their 39 points were also a season low.

But it was where Meadville shot that made the difference – 29 of Meadville’s 37 field goal attempts were from 3-point range. The Lady Eagles made nine treys.

Meadville, whose tallest starter is 5’6”, took the all-or-nothing approach by necessity.

“It’s hard to say this as a coach, but we were going to live and die with the 3,” Carvajal said. “Chadwick took some things away from us, so we had to. We’re a small team in terms of height.”

The weekend marked Chadwick’s first final four appearance since 2014. The Lady Cardinals hadn’t played in a state championship game since winning the Class 1 title in 2005.

“(This weekend) is literally a dream come true,” said Chadwick sophomore point guard Kerrigan Guerin. “I’ve dreamed about this since I was little. My dad’s told me stories about what he’s been able to do. I got to do it my sophomore year. Hopefully it’s not the only time.”

Chadwick graduates three seniors from its eight-player roster: Maddy Nalley, Chloe Burkhart and Cora Michael. All three were starters.

With time expiring and the outcome in hand, Guerin subbed out Chadwick’s three seniors one at a time.

The trio shared a tearful embrace on the bench with their head coach.

“It broke my heart,” Burkhart said. “I’ve not had a good bond with this sport for three years. When I got this coach (Guerin), it absolutely changed my whole outlook on basketball. I wasn’t necessarily sad that we lost, I was sadder that I have to leave my team and leave my coaches. I’ll still seem them at school since it’s a small school, but it was a heartbreaking way to end.”

Said Coach Guerin of the senior group: “Over the last few years, they’ve built this program and moved it along for these sophomores and those to come on through next. They meant a lot.”

Meadville 39, Chadwick 28
Meadville 7 10 12 10 — 39
Chadwick 14 4 8 2 — 28

Meadville (31-0 overall) – Korrie Holcer 18, Paige Carvajal 12, Madison Carvajal 7, Mallory Dennis 2
Chadwick (25-6 overall) – Raeleigh Little 11, Chloe Burkhart 6, Kerrigan Guerin 4, Maddy Nalley 3, Ella Herd 2, Mildred Burkhart 2