This is the first time Woodlan has taken the title since 1997
Celebrations are underway for the team!
The Sectional Championship game for the Woodlan boys basketball team against Canterbury started with Woodlan as the underdogs. I walked into the gymnasium at South Adams only to see Woodlan was down by nearly 10 at the end of the 1st quarter. This Monday night, March 11, game wasn’t looking good for the Warriors. They were falling quickly to the home team.
The second quarter started with Woodlan racing several turnovers back to their basket by Gregg White. Jaylin Bennett was also using his height advantage to get the ball in the hoop from under the basket. Kadin Gerig’s three points helped make this and the third quarter high scoring for the guests. The half ended with Canterbury on top 36-34, but the gap had been cut down and Woodlan had the momentum on their side. Would it stay with them?
Third quarter starts and Woodlan picks the pace up better than second quarter and the help with Evan Gustin hitting three shots in a row, and Jeffrey Jones scoring from the outside kept the energy on the Warrior side of the field. With 3:51 left in the third Woodlan took the lead for the first time during the game it bounced back once to the Cavaliers, but only shortly, and the third period finished 50-55.
The fourth quarter was much closer but Canterbury failed to make their free throws and with the previous deficit the Cavaliers could not get past the fatal blow struck by the Warriors hatchet. White was able to sink the free-throws every time and the game finished 67-71. This is the first time in 17 years, since 1997, Woodlan has won the Sectional Championship.
Woodlan moves on to Regionals taking on Winamac at North Judson (1 Bluejay Dr, Wayne, IN 46366) at 11 am on Saturday.
Score by Quarter:
Woodlan: 14 20 21 16 = 71
Canterbury: 23 13 14 15 = 67
Points by Player:
Woodlan. White 18, Jones 12, Gerig 17, Bennett. 15, Stieglitz 3, Gustin 6
Canterbury. Uhl. 18, Kreiger 3, Paul 8, Sinn 8, White 8 Kus 20, Camp 2
Woodlan’s season record is now 18-6.
