By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
COLUMBIA — Dadeville struggled matching up with Braymer around the basket, surrounding 42 points in the paint while falling 67-56 in a Class 1 semifinal Friday.
The Bearcats were outscored in the paint 42-20.
“They killed us there. I think that was the story of the game,” Dadeville coach Curtis Collins said. “They’re tough to stop. Their guards do a great job of pushing the break and getting in the lanes and they finish well. We didn’t like some of our (defensive) rotations. But good teams make it tough for you to do what you want to do well.”
Dadeville (22-10) was in catch-up mode nearly the entire game, but was able to keep pace with Braymer (22-9) in a high-scoring first half. The Bearcats trailed by two, 39-37, at halftime.
But Dadeville managed just 19 points in the second half.
Bearcats guard Aidan Jarman scored 17 of his 23 points in the first half. He credited Braymer’s Landon Baker for making it tougher for him to get good looks at the basket over the second half.
“He did a good job,” Jarman said. “In the first half, they had someone else on me. When he (guarded me), it made a big impact for them.”
“Seniors make plays,” Braymer coach Brent Behler said of Baker. “(Jarman) is a great player and made some tough shots. We were doing a nice job getting a hand up and Landon was staying close to him, making sure he didn’t get an easy look.”
Jarman engaged in a scoring duel with Braymer’s Jordan Haley, who had 28 points. Haley, who entered the game with a 17.0 scoring average, enjoyed an 11-point third quarter.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Meanwhile, Jarman was slowed at the start of the second half. He was stuck at 17 points for the first four-plus minutes of the third quarter.
In the first half, Jarman scored 15 of Dadeville’s first 25 points. The rest of the Bearcats promptly stepped up over the second and third quarters, accounting for 16 of Dadeville’s next 18 points.
Sophomore forward Chayse Coose shined, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
“It’s amazing playing at this level with great teammates and two great coaches,” Coose said.
Dadeville’s lone lead came on a Jarman free throw to put the Bearcats up 46-45 with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter.
The Bearcats held a 13-3 edge on Braymer at the free-throw line in the first half, but finished 21-of-37 at the charity stripe.
“I wish we had some of those free throws back,” Collins said.
Dadeville’s final comeback bid saw Kaleb Getman swish a 3-pointer to pull the Bearcats with six of the lead, 60-54, with 1:40 remaining.
But Haley answered by making five throws to put Braymer up 65-54
This was Dadeville’s first trip to the state tournament since 2011.
“From a coaching standpoint, we are proud of being good examples for the kids coming up,” Collins said. “All the youngsters that are inspired by watching guys they walk the halls with, it’s a special feeling. I couldn’t be any prouder of our guys to be competing at this level. We feel like we deserve to be here with anybody. I think we proved that this year.”
Collins returned to the Bearcats after missing three games following the birth of his first child.
“It’s been crazy,” Collins said. “We had some complications happen and ended up back in the hospital. I was a new dad and at home alone with the baby for four days while my wife was in the hospital. I was trying to scout, auto-feed the baby and watch film.
“It’s been a special run,” he added. “I couldn’t be any happier, I’m a new Dad and in the final four for the first time coaching a great group of guys. It’s been a dream come true.”
Braymer 67, Dadeville 56
DADEVILLE (56) — Garver 1-2 0-0 2, Coose 6-10 4-6 16, Jarman 6-28 10-21 23, Getman 2-5 3-3 9, Clift 0-1 2-2 2, Garver 1-1 2-5 4.
BRAYMER (67) — Shoe 5-13 2-3 12, Jo. Haley 10-19 6-7 28, Brandon 2-6 2-2 6, Stone 0-2 0-0 0, Baker 3-5 1-2 7, McBee 5-6 2-2 12, Ja. Haley 0-0 2-2.
Dadeville 17 20 10 9 – 56
Braymer 22 17 14 14 – 67
3-point goals – Jo. Haley 2, Getman 2, Jarman.
