By Don Abernathy (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Like a locomotive without brakes, Chadwick High School blew past Billings on Friday, as the Class 1 defending state champs looked unstoppable in a 55-21 district-clinching win.
The win gave Chadwick its fifth-consecutive Class 1 District 4 title.
Next stop: State sectionals at Eminence High School on March 3rd.
“Winning districts is always our goal, but our biggest goal is to get back to the final four,” Chadwick senior Clayton Garrison said. “I think if we play like that, then we have a really good chance.”
With a sizeable lead already (31-16), Chadwick opened the third quarter scoring 11-straight points to build a 42-16 lead with 2:15 left in the period.
“Coach wanted us to come out with the same energy that we had in the first half,” Garrison said. “We started the second half in a zone defense that took away the 3-pointer. They are a good outside-shooting team so we knew if we could keep them off the 3-point line that we could get stops.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Garrison scored seven of his game-high 20 points in the third period, as the Cardinals gave up just two points the entire quarter.
“If we could get a few hands on the ball, get some turnovers, and get some buckets in transition, then maybe we could build a decent lead and make them come get us,” Chadwick coach Shawn Guerin said.
Chadwick outscored Billings 11-3 over the final nine minutes of play, scoring 10 of those points from inside the lane.
“I knew that if I attacked the rim, then I was either going to score or my teammates were going to be open for layups,” Garrison said. “We kept our foot on the throttle the whole third quarter.”
Early in the first quarter, as both teams were still trying to find a rhythm, the Cardinals got a spark from freshman starter Gentry Gilbert, who made three 3s to give Chadwick a 16-5 lead after one period of play.
Billings found their range from beyond the arc in the second quarter, with 3s from sophomore Chance Shaffer and freshman Cayden Venable, the Wildcats cut the lead to 10 points (26-16) with two minutes left before halftime.
“I thought we were getting, for the most part, some decent looks,” Billings coach Blayne Armstrong said. “Maybe we took some rushed shots. Maybe we had some turnovers. But unfortunately the ball just didn’t go in enough for us tonight.
“We kind of got stagnant in the third quarter and settled for some shots outside instead of looking to attack the rim. They switched to their matchup zone and it gave us fits for a little bit.”
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
Garrison led Chadwick (19-7) with 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Sophomore Prestin Kinyon had 12 points and six boards, while senior John Smith added 12 points for the Cardinals.
“Prestin is our trash guy, he cleans up boards, he can finish well,” Guerin said. “And he’s always good defensively on rotations.
“Garrison is just one of those generational talents that comes through a small school.”
Shaffer led Billings (16-12) with 12 points, including four 3s.
Chadwick will play Eminence (17-7) in the Class 1 sectionals at Eminence High School March 3 at 6 p.m.
Eminence knocked off top-seeded Bunker High School, 39-35, to win the Class 1 District 3 on Friday.
“There’s definitely some pressure because we have been the number one team all season, so we’ve always got a target on our back and everyone wants to beat us, but I think that gives us more energy,” Garrison said.
“I think we are playing perfectly right now. Especially tonight. I’m proud of all our guys. I just hope to keep it going.”
