By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
STRAFFORD, Mo. — For the 2-0 Strafford Indians, it was there, ripe for the taking.
In championship tilt on their home floor against the visiting 2-0 Willow Springs Bears, the Indians battled the Bears’ zone defensive attack, which suited them just fine as 6’6” senior Brady Ripp led all scorers with his 30-point outburst in the Indians’ 68-62 win Saturday afternoon at the 2024 Strafford Invitational.
“It is just awesome having the Strafford community here,” Ripp said. “It was one of the best student sections we have had in a while. I play so much better when that student section is yelling for us.”
The Indians are balanced. They are meticulous. And they are deep and versatile, as seven seniors lead the Indians this season, which makes their head coach, Tyler Ryerson, thankful for the luxuries.
“I have been saying for four years, Cody makes me look pretty smart. [Ripp is] probably the best offensive rebounder I have ever had,” Ryerson said. “He has developed into a good post threat. He will make moves. We didn’t have that last year. He has really developed his game.”
But with each punch and counterpunch, the Bears would not relent, trailing by two points going into the second quarter and one point (49-48) with eight minutes in regulation.
It was anyone’s game, and the Bears’ zone sped up the Indians at times, forcing 10 turnovers.
“Dustin [Forrest] does a good job. He found something that worked, playing zone, against us. We didn’t shoot the ball very well,” Ryerson said of his counterpart. “They compete every time we play them, but we got enough points, got enough in transition to win.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
The team is led by seven seniors this winter, and some are just returning from the gridiron.
“We have had 12 practices with them,” Ryerson said of his starting-5, who also made a run with the football team in the fall. “Everything is going to be a growing process. We are still putting sets in. We play about eight players, and seven of those are seniors.”
Tempo was vital in the win.
“They play really hard and compete on every trip,” Ryerson said. “That is the baseline of our program. They do that really well. For the first three games I think we have seen 10 possessions of man-to-man. But when you have Brady score 30 and [senior] Cody score 22, then we have a chance to win a lot of games.”
And the Bears followed suit, not trailing by more than six points in the fourth. But when crashing the paint on Ripp, there’s open real estate.
“With Cody, when he dribbles in the paint, and I post up, there is either that dump down, or if I am getting double-teamed, we have a kickout to Jourdyn Edelstein or Conner Rogers, who are two of our best shooters in the corner,” Ripp said.
Scoring for the Indians: Jourdyn Edelstein – 6; Bradlee Mullins – 3; Ryder Ross – 2; Colton Willis – 5; Ripp -30; Voysey – 22.
Scoring for Willow Springs: Jace Rogers – 12; Kolby James – 23; Cade Lee – 7; Brady James – 8; James Dean – 4; and Brady Altermatt – 8.
THIRD PLACE: Seymour 59, Ava 39 – CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Seymour – 21-11-15-12 — 59
Ava – 1-10-13-15 – 39
S: Derek Helms 15, Braylen Johnson 11, Truman Helms 11, Wyatt Henry 11, Nolan Henry 6, Reece Hepke 3, Brayden Smith 2
A: Isaac Dalton 15, Bridger Wiedmeier 8, Talon Harvill 6, Brock Swatosh 4, Grant Swatosh 3, Payton Merriet 3
CONSOLATION: Sparta 52, Mountain Grove 47 – CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Sparta – 12-12-11-17 — 52
Mtn. Grove – 13-8-12-14 – 47
S: Braylen Luttrell 17, Lee Mayes 9, Abel Hume 8, Levi Dorman 6, Otis Gilliam 6, Trenton Engle 6
M: Kale Gardner 19, Eli Golden 11, Aden Estep 8, Brady Emery 4, Same Peterson 3, Destin Unger 2
SEVENTH PLACE: Cassville 48, Buffalo 46 – CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Cassville – 18-6-18-6 — 48
Buffalo – 13-6-15-12 – 46
C: Tyson Bohmke 12, Cheney Kelley 10, Simon Gates 9, Eli Stokes 8, Evan Butler 2
B: Blair Abraham 26, Braden McGregor 13, Brandon McGregor 5, Landon Mota 2
