By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Glendale coach Brian McTague described the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.
One of the few downsides? You sometimes get matched up with the best team you’ll ever play.
The Glendale Falcons had no answers for a basketball juggernaut on Thursday night, as Paul VI, ranked No. 1 in the country by MaxPreps, rolled to an 82-21 victory in the opening round of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield.
“They’re really good,” McTague said. “They’re the No. 1 team in the country for a reason… their size, length and athleticism made it very difficult to do anything.”
Paul VI brought its defensive clamps to Springfield and held Glendale scoreless in the first quarter. The Panthers nearly achieved the rare feat earlier this season.
“We gave up a last-second bucket and the (other) team scored three points,” said Paul VI senior forward Garrett Sundra. “We really wanted to make an effort, again, to have that opportunity.”
By halftime, it was 45-3 in favor of the national powerhouse.
“Defense has been a cornerstone of what we’ve always done,” said Paul VI coach Glenn Farello. “This group has been special and has a chance to continue to be special if they commit themselves on the defensive end of the floor.”
Adlan Elamin led a balanced Paul VI squad with 12 points. Eleven other Panthers scored.
“Seeing a very good team like that will motivate you to play harder,” said Glendale guard Ta’Veaion Washington, who scored a team-high eight. “I just wish we would’ve went out there and fought way harder than we did.”
Glendale shot just 8-for-43 from the field overall, including 2-for-23 from 3-point range. Paul VI scored 20 points off 16 Glendale turnovers. The Panthers also had a 45-21 edge in rebounds.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“We see these teams play and you feel like, ‘Yeah, we can probably compete with them,'” said Glendale guard Amare Witham. “But when you really get on the court it’s like, ‘…they’re actually good.”
Said Washington: “We just couldn’t hit a lot of shots. We took a lot. We just couldn’t hit.”
The Falcons will aim for a better showing when they face Vashon at 6 p.m. Friday in the consolation round.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” McTague said. “Not very many kids get to say they had this opportunity. Hopefully, we can take this and use it to improve ourselves going forward.”
Paul VI faces McEachern at 9:30 p.m. Friday in the second semifinal game. The Panthers won the tournament in their last visit to Springfield (2022).
Paul VI 82, Glendale 21
Glendale 0 3 11 7 — 21
Paul VI 23 22 22 15 — 82
Glendale (8-5 overall) – Ta’Veaion Washington 8, Amare Witham 4, Jacan Seats 3, Elias Stanback 2, Mar’Kel Houston 2, Samuel Burri 2
Paul VI – Adlan Elamin 12, Troy Tomlin 10, Jaquan Womack 9, Garrett Sundra 9, Darren Harris 9, Isaiah Abraham 8, Jordan Hunter 7, Jacob Moore 5, Jordan Smith Jr. 5, Benjamin Hammond 4, Anthony Brown Jr. 3, Colin Byrd 1
