Going into the ACAC Tournament game Woodlan boys had a 1-10 record while the competitors, Heritage, landed in the match at 5-3. I have to say I wasn’t expecting Woodlan to do so well with their current history, but they surprised me.
The first quarter was not even close, as the Warriors tore away from the Patriots, and really was the saving grace for the game. Both Austin Fancher and Ben Schwartz teamed up for six points each in that period, leading the board. The boys basketball game was certainly exciting for the home team having a 16 point lead starting the second quarter.
Evan Gustin had a mighty fine second period with one 3-point basket and adding seven points for that period alone. And the Woodlan team finished at 13 additional points. The Patriots were not at all out of the game. The first half just was not their best. Second period was not all bad and very close in terms of points but nothing to put the hurt on the Warriors.
At half time Woodlan was leading the match 33-16. Would Heritage be able to stop the bleeding? The Warriors have struggled with holding leads in the second half.
The next half was controlled by the Monroeville School, clearly. Woodlan did not roll over and play and dead and that was a good thing. They kept on with the points, even though the turnovers gave Heritage leverage.
Third quarter for Woodlan, Jeffrey Jones was the top scorer with five points and three of those from the line. Heritage plastered 22 points to the wall and Jacque Jacquay made most of them with eight.
The Award for the most incredible shot of the game goes to Mark Sallfrank of Heritage. With one second left on the clock the Warriors had Fancher on the line. He missed the basket and Mark grabbed the ball and pitched the ball from the Warrior key for a perfect bank 3-point bank shot. You had to be there!
The fourth quarter was just as exciting for both teams. Several times momentum swung to the Patriots, shooting the Warriors and narrowing the lead to only six points. Heritage once again cleaned up with 21 points to Woodlan’s 16, but it was not enough to overtake the first quarter blowout and the Warriors won 66-59.
This was a fantastic showing for the home team and a new standard to set for this year’s club.
Woodlan Scorers: Ben Schwartz 15; Austin Fancher 14; Andrew Krahn 12; Evan Gustin 11; Jeffrey Jones 10; Josh Gerig 4.
Heritage Scorers: Jacque Jacquay 12; Branson Dossen 9; Mark Saalfrank 3; Billy Lowmow 11; Bryce Fox 5; Drew Minkosky 11; Bradley Scott 8.
Here are the 2nd round games of the ACAC tournament. Games begin at 7:00 pm
Boys – Wednesday, 1/14
Woodlan @ Leo
Bluffton @ Jay County
Girls – Thursday, 1/15
Heritage @ Leo
Bluffton @ Jay County
The consolidation games will be played on Saturday at 10:00 am & 12:00 pm
Boys – South Adams @ Heritage (10:00 am)
Girls – Woodlan @ Heritage (12:00 pm)
Boys – Adams Central @ Southern Wells (10:00 am)
Girls – Adams Central @ Southern Wells (12:00 pm)
Second games are approximate times and they will start after warm-ups
More pictures at westbendnews.net
