By Todd Lancaster
In a game where momentum shifts back and fourth, it is always best to have it shift back in your direction at the end of the game.
And in spite of a fourth quarter run from Vincennes Lincoln (13-9), it was a defense-fueled breakout from Washington (18-3) that earned them a 54-35 victory in the sectional semifinals on Friday in the Hatchet House and gave coach Gene Miiller his 100th win as a Hatchet coach.
The win moved the Hatchets back into the sectional final and will give them a chance to earn their sixth straight title tonight.
“We knew coming into the game that Vincennes would be tough and get right after it,” said Miiller. “Our goal was that we had to be tougher, get rebounds and get to loose basketballs. I think we did a much better job of that tonight, than we did in the previous game (against Lincoln).”
The Hatchets never trailed after the opening moments of the game, but Lincoln never let Washington get much breathing room either.
“Every time they made a run, we came back with a run and it seems like in the end, our run was a little bit bigger,” added Miiller.
Washington was able to exploit the middle, as Cody Zeller posted 18 points, but it was also its ability to score off turnovers. Lincoln turned the ball over 23 times, 15 off steals. In fact, Washington took a 23-12 scoring advantage off turnovers alone. Sam Gines had six steals and six assists, while Ethan Hunsinger had three baskets in transition.
“Defense was the key to tonight’s game. I thought the kids executed the game plan pretty well. We were aggressive and played smart,” said Miiller.
Washington took a 13-8 lead in to the second quarter. Zeller had six early points, but it was sophomore Dylan Ervin, who also had two buckets and provided a spark all night. Ervin ended up the Hatchets’ second leading scorer with 13 points in the game.
“Dylan played a very good game. He continues to do the things he has done well all year,” said Miiller. “Cody did nice job. He was playing a guy who allowed him to stay in the lane and stop their dribble penetration.” Zeller had five blocks for the Hatchets in the game.
Vincennes crept to 22-15 at the half, mostly off the efforts of J.P. Hammond who had five of the Alices’ seven points.
Lincoln pulled to within three after baskets from Kyle Tucker and Janzten Goodwin combined for seven points in the third. However, Lincoln turned the ball over on four straight possessions, and even though Matt McCoy hit a late basket to make it 32-24.
Tucker and Goodwin again put the pressure on the Hatchets in the early minutes of the fourth, The Alices again cut the lead to 36-33, but a Zeller basket stopped the bleeding. Ervin and Hunsinger then accounted for the next three baskets to make it 44-34. The Hatchets then went 8-10 from the free throw line, capping off what ended up an 18-2 run for the Hatchets to end the game.
When the smoke cleared, four Hatchets were in double figures, with Zeller getting 18, Ervin with 13, Gines with 11 and Hunsinger with 10. The only other scoring for Washington came from Robert Pittman, who had two points, but he and Kurtis Anthony also split eight rebounds. Washington also had a distinct advantage from the free throw line, outscoring VL, 15-3, but they held a 12-3 advantage from behind the arc as WHS was just 1-2, with Gines hitting the only trey.
Tucker was the lone Alice in double figures with 16.
“We know we have to come back and play another game like we did tonight,” said Miiller. “Defensively we have to be aggressive and offensively we have to take care of the basketball. In the second game, Jasper beat Heritage Hills, 67-53.
The Hatchets and Wildcats tip off at 7:30 p.m.
In their earlier match up, Washington beat Jasper, 65-57.
