Stafford Trojans fall short at state
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
After a 76-year absence from the state basketball tournament, you knew the Stafford Trojans would keep competing behind a Red Sea of supporters.
South Central had control 43-27 in the 1A Division 2 state basketball tournament behind 9 of 10 shooting in the third quarter.
Stafford’s full-court pressure defense paid dividends in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Trojans sliced South Central’s 16-point lead to 43-33 at the start of the fourth quarter. Colson Minks had two steals and Josh Hildebrand and Dylan Gantz contributed steals. Minks drilled a 3-pointer and scored a 2-pointer off a steal.
But the Trojans missed a golden opportunity when Gantz missed a driving shot after his steal and Dakota Rodriguez and Gantz missed contested shots after another Minks steal.
“We got it to 10 points and got two steals and runouts, but missed two layup,” said Stafford coach Cole Smith. “That’s huge had we cut it to six points. We had all the momentum.”
The Timberwolves regrouped to score 18 points in the final six minutes to pull away for a hard-fought 61-47 opening victory.
South Central features no seniors, but performed with poise and confidence. South Central’s 6-5 Heath Howell dominated the paint with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks. The Timberwolves solved the Trojans’ defense with 23 of 39 shooting, 59%. Jack Herd muscled inside with 18 points and Gavin Uhl added 12 points.
South Central (17-7) turned the trick without perimeter shooting (1 of 4). Meanwhile, the Trojans converted 7 of 25 shots from long range.
“All the credit goes to South Central. They were a better basketball team,” Smith said. “They were the more physical basketball team. They got in the lane and made plays.”
Stafford’s Dakota Rodriguez contributed 15 points, four assists and three steals in a hustling effort. Minks scored 14 points with four 3-pointers and three steals.
Smith knew the Trojans would rally.
“I’m proud we fought through adversity,” he said. “We dug ourselves a hole and tried out best. We hit some big-time shots. But it’s hard to get behind by 17 points against a good physical basketball team.”
Smith said Stafford County supported the Trojans with the biggest crowd he’s witnessed.
“It was a Sea of Red, a testament to our community,” Smith said. “The businesses in our community donated so that every student had a T-shirt and gate admission. That was great to see.”
Smith said seniors Minks, Mason Julian, Rodriguez, Gantz, Hildebrand, Luka Pilipovic and Ashter Harter have established a solid work ethic for success.
“It’s a testament to our guys’ heart,” he said. “These seniors have set an example to compete for a state tournament berth. It’s been a fun ride. This is most fun I’ve had coaching basketball.”
South Central 11 13 19 18 – 61
Stafford 11 10 6 20 – 47
SOUTH CENTRAL (17-7)–Herd 7-9 4-4 18, Howell 6-9 2-4 14, Uhl 4-6 4-4 12, Sarmiento 3-7 2-3 9, Prusa 1-2 1-2 3, Yoder 0-1 0-0 0, Rutherford 0-2 0-0 0, Jellison 2-3 1-2 5, Totals 23-39 14-19 61
STAFFORD (17-6)–Rodriguez 3-10 6-6 15, Minks 5-17 0-0 14, Kerschenske 4-6 1-2 9, Hildebrand 2-4 1-6 5, Oleseon 0-5 2-3 2, Gantz 1-5 0-0 2, Harter 0-2 0-0 0, Totals 15-49 10-17 47
3-pointers–SC 1-4 (Sarmiento 1-2, Howell 0-1, Yoder 0-1); S 7-25 (Minks 4-14, Rodriguez 3-5, Gantz 0-1, Harter 0-2, Oleson 0-3). Rebounds—SC 32 (Howell 9), S 27 (Hildebrand 6, Kerschenke 6). Assists—SC 10 (Herd 3, Howell 3), S 10 (Rodriguez 4). Steals—SC 5 (Sarmiento 3), S 8 (Minks 3, Rodriguez 3).
