Antwerp’s 2015 Boys Basketball Sectional Victory!
Three of Sam Williamson’s 25 points scored here. More pictures at westbendnews.net
Back at the beginning of the year, Stryker travelled to Antwerp to take on the Archers. In January the Panthers won by 11 points. The rematch took place at Paulding High School in the second game of the tournament after Antwerp beat Pettisville and Stryker won against Patrick Henry. The game began after the Raiders finished cutting down their victory nets.
Clearly, the Panthers had the upper-hand with a 15-9 record while the underdogs took the home chairs and a 10-14 record.
Fast and Furious was the name of the game in the first period. Both teams were on top of the competitive match with Antwerp holding a one point lead. Sam Williamson and Trenton Copsey were both nailing points left and right. Trey Mills also had nice run from the foul line. Williams had 2, 3-point baskets. Copsey and Matt Jones also had added 3-point baskets.
Second quarter is where Antwerp was able to take the game. They held Stryker at bay with only four points added to the list. Antwerp’s gain was 12 points, giving the Archers a nine point first half lead.
The Archers have struggled in the past when the game would get close and the second half there were several times when the Panthers brought the game to within four, yet the home team did not choke as they have in the past.
The time came down to the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and Stryker began to foul, intending to gain control of the ball. They didn’t count on Williamson, Mills, or Jones to be hitting their foul shots. Not every one of the shots counted, but most went on the post.
The game finished in the local team’s favor, giving a nice win for the sake of reciprocity – a sectional win Antwerp clearly deserved. Coach Hammer said he was happy with the team and how they pulled together. Record keeper Tim Copsey said it’s been two years since Antwerp won sectionals.
Great job for this team!
The Archers will take on the other county rival who won Sectionals, Wayne Trace, and will play the first game of Districts at Van Wert on Tuesday, March 10.
Antwerp is now 11-14, and Stryker is 15-10.
Score by Quarters:
Antwerp: 17 12 10 26 = 65
Stryker: 16 4 12 22 = 54
Antwerp Scorers: Matt Jones 8, Trey Mills 4, Sam Williamson 25, Trenton Copsey 24, Josh Longardner 4
Stryker Scorers: Brannan Woolace 4, Brody Shock 7, Parker Ruffer 23, Tanner Clingaman 14, Israel Aguilar 4, Chad Ruffer 2
