By Matt Turer — @MattTurer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
WILLARD, Mo. — It wasn’t pretty, but it worked. For a second consecutive district title, nothing else matters.
Even after a full season of a new coach and a more up-tempo style in what was a close game throughout, the 2017-18 version of the Willard Tigers did what this program has done in the past: slow it down.
Willard (14-12) got 14 points from both Kobe Holloman and Daniel Abreu and made a defensive stop on the game’s final possession to beat top-seed Waynesville (17-10) 43-42 in the Class 5 District 10 championship.
“It feels awesome doing this with the group of young men that we’ve got,” Willard coach Daniel Cutbirth said. “Nobody really expected us to be here, so the fact that we’ve overcome that means a lot. It’s special.”
Carson Cavalier paced Waynesville with 14 points, including a late 3 that pushed them back within 41-39 with 19 seconds left after the orange Tigers trailed 41-36 for over four minutes.
Willard pushed its lead back to 43-39 on a pair of Elijah Davis free throws, but Waynesville freshman Shaquann Fregiste connected from 3, making it 43-42 and setting up a frantic finish over the final eight seconds.
Willard was quickly fouled, missed the front end of a 1-and-1 and had to play defense on a David Adams runner that would’ve beat the buzzer if it had gone in.
“Adams had a good look there with a lot of contact,” Waynesville coach Chris Pilz said. “Maybe could have pulled up for a 3. I thought he was gonna get a clean look in there but it closed up on him pretty quick.”
Both teams combined for just 13 trips to the line.
Waynesville shot 32.4 percent from the field. Willard hit 41.2 percent of its shots.
“We’ve had a hard time of when we do get a lead of knowing what’s a good shot and how to be patient,” Cutbirth said. “It cost us at Nixa and Parkview earlier this season, so it’s nice to see the kids have kind of figured it out.”
Willard led 21-18 at the half and Waynesville led 31-28 through three quarters.
“As a fan standpoint it probably wasn’t very fun to watch, because I know as a coach I’m going to be grey-headed by the time this thing is over with,” Cutbirth said.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
IT WAS OVER WHEN
Adams’ runner fell short of the rim as the buzzer sounded in a game that saw 11 lead changes and a tie, bringing finality to another district title for a team that many thought wouldn’t be in this position again so soon.
“It means a lot to me,” Holloman said. “All the hard work paid off. I just like to win. I’m glad we won the district championship. That’s really what matters to me.”
Waynesville led 8-0 early and it didn’t seem like the orange Tigers’ fast-paced style was going to slow.
Until Willard made it.
“How good at transition they are concerned me, and early they got to us,” Cutbirth said of Waynesville. “We had a lot of uncharacteristic turnovers we normally don’t have. But we kept grinding and grinding and grinding, and we slowed the game down, which usually we don’t like to do. But we got them playing at our tempo and it ended working out to our favor.”
LOOKING BACK
Waynesville had its winningest season since winning 19 games in 2015.
“We had a tremendous season after winning eight games a year ago,” Pilz said. “Our kids weren’t happy with last year and they came and worked. And it did pay off for them.”
The orange Tigers graduate Tanner Simpson, Adams and Caleb Barnes but bring back an athletic group next season.
“I’m sure this game will put some fuel on their fire to try to become better players,” Pilz said. “We needed to make one more play tonight and we just couldn’t make it.”
LOOKING AHEAD
For the second consecutive season Willard gets Rock Bridge (25-1) in sectional play. The black Tigers were eliminated 66-37 by Rock Bridge last season.
“We know what they are and what they’re capable of, so we’re going to meet it head on,” Cutbirth said.
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER SCORING
Willard 10-11-7-15 — 43
Waynesville 11-7-13-11 — 42
