By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
BOLIVAR – In a game of evenly matched opponents, the Helias Catholic Crusaders outlasted the Webb City Cardinals for a 63-54 Class 4 quarterfinal victory on Saturday.
Webb City got out to the early lead (12-10) at the end of the first quarter, sparked by senior Terrell Kabala’s five points, as both teams played an up-tempo game. Kabala added six more in the second to boost the Cardinals to a 26-22 lead at halftime.
“Both teams want to play fast,” Webb City coach Jason Horn said. “They do a good job pressuring the basketball. I thought in the half-court and the second half, they didn’t have the breakdowns that maybe we had on rotations. They were smart using their dribble. When we did try to set our traps, they rotated well out of them.
“So, you have to give them credit – they made they made baskets and made free throws down the stretch, and that was the difference in the game.”
As with all of the Missouri state high school playoffs, a limited number of fans were allowed to watch. The Webb City crowd was loud and Horn was thankful for that, as well as for the opportunity to play because of the recent world-wide Coronvirus outbreak affecting sporting events with cancellations and postponements.
“We’re just thankful we were allowed to play,” Horn said. “I think I need to say that first. Our state association didn’t rush to make a quick judgment. They took all the information in and we have to thank them for letting us play because this is a moment these kids… you don’t want to see them lose.
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“Our kids played really hard. We’re hurting for three seniors in there. Those are guys that I’ve been with for years, and watch them grow up and they’re going to go on and do really big things. But, you know, our young guys… we’re excited what we have coming back and we just wish we could get it done for the senior class.”
Helias went on a 6-0 run early in the third quarter, and another 9-0 run to take a 39-33 lead before Webb City got a bucket from Nickhai Howard. Tanner Rogers, who hit 7 of 8 3-pointers in the Cardinals’ sectional victory, hit his first 3 of the game with 2:32 to go in the third to pull Webb City to 38-35.
But, Helias was able to close out the third for a 43-40 advantage.
It remained tight in the fourth, but some empty possessions and missed free throws late hurt the Cardinals, and the Crusaders were able to finish it from the free-throw line.
Helias advances to the final four for the first time in four years, when Brad Dempsey was the assistant coach. The Crusaders will meet Vashon in the Class 4 semifinals.
“We knew coming in how the game was going to be,” Dempsey said. “We’re very similar to Webb City. We knew they’re very good and it was going to be a matter who made the plays down the stretch. They made some huge plays, but I thought our guys make some big plays down the stretch tonight.”
Marcus Anthony led all scorers with 21 points for Helias.
“Marcus is just an unreal basketball player,” Dempsey said. “He’s got so much ability and so much skill. And when he’s locked in, it’s really hard for people to guard him. He doesn’t know where he’s going to play, but he’ll play college basketball somewhere and he’ll be a very good college basketball player as well.”
Kabala, who will play at Arkansas-Fort Smith next year, paced the Cardinals with 19 points.
“He’s a big-time player; he makes big plays,” Horn said. “The first couple of times, he put us on his back like we expect him to do. It’s a bond you get with them, you learn what they’re capable of, and you see him grow up. He’s, by far, the most talented player I’ve coached, he’s a tremendous athlete and he’s going to do great things next level.”
CLASS 4 QUARTERFINALS
HELIAS CATHOLIC 63, WEBB CITY 54
HELIAS CATHOLIC 10-12-21-20—63
WEBB CITY 12-14-14-14—54
WEBB CITY (17-10) – Terrell Kabala 19, Tanner Rogers 6, Gary Clinton 6, Nickhai Howard 9, Colton McKee 5, Cohl Vaden 5, Mekhi Garrard 3, Luke Brumit 1.
HELIAS CATHOLIC (23-6) – Colby Lecuru 14, Malcolm Davis 8, Damon Johanns 5, Isaac Johnson 6, Marcus Anthony 21, Caleb Justice 7, Jeffrey Szumigala 2.
Up next: Class 4 semifinals – Helias-Catholic vs. Vashon, 6:15 p.m., March 19, at JQH Arena, Missouri State University, Springfield
