By Chris Parker
Springfield Central’s bid for the program’s first state championship came to an end in a 70-59 loss to Cardinal Ritter in the Class 6 state semifinal round on Friday.
The Bulldogs took a 16-14 lead after one quarter, but then Cardinal Ritter turned up the full court defensive pressure.
“It (the press) caused a lot of turnovers for us,” Central head coach Jordan Epps said. “It is pressure that we have seen all year I just think it was a little bit different in this moment and this atmosphere. They did a good job of using their length and size they had to get deflections and make us alter our passes.”
Central only turned the ball over twice in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Cardinal Ritter forced six turnovers and scored eight points off the turnovers. For the game, the Lions forced 15 turnovers.
Central cut the lead to single digits late, but Cardinal Ritter was able to hit its free throws to secure the win.
While this was the first trip to the final four for Central since 1963, the Bulldogs don’t expect to wait too long for the next trip with only senior Tyrique Brooks graduating from this team.
“I even got a few young guys on the bench that didn’t sit varsity at all this year, but I brought them along for the ride and put them on the roster just so they could experience it so when their time comes hopefully, they will be ready,” Coach Epps said.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Central has made great strides since Epps took over as head coach in 2021-22 going from eight wins in his first year to 15 last year to 24 this year.
“Coming from when I took over a couple years ago to what we are now, I am definitely grateful and proud of them but not satisfied. We will definitely be back. We will definitely be contenders. I hope these guys are ready to keep it going like I am,” Coach Epps said. “It has been a really special group overall. They like each other outside of basketball and I think that helps show on the court with our chemistry and the way we play. I am a competitor as well. I wanted to be in the championship game just as much as they did. I told them I am still proud of them. Not a lot of coaches get to make it to a final four. Some coaches go a whole career and not get to this moment.”
Rue Wells led Central with 14 points. Brooks had 13 points. Keion Epps scored 12 points and had six assists.
Keion Epps and Wells will be among next year’s seniors who are already thinking about getting back to Columbia.
“I feel like we are going to be way hungrier because we have been here and we don’t want to go out sad on our senior year,” Keion Epps said.
While the bid for a state championship is over, Central will play for third place on Saturday at 2 pm at Mizzou Arena against either Oak Park or Chaminade.
