Willard, Mo. (For OzarksSportsZone.com) -- The Branson Pirates ousted the Willard Tigers on the road Tuesday night after an explosive second half, winning 65-61 in overtime.
Branson won a previous matchup against Willard with a 58-49 semifinal win in last month’s Blue and Gold tournament but struggled a little more in the rematch, trailing until the last two minutes of the 3rd quarter.
“They key to the game was our toughness level because we knew they were going to be jacked up on their home court so we’d have to match their intensity,” said Branson coach Brian McTague. “And I didn’t think we did that early on.”
Turnovers and missed shots plagued the Pirates in the first quarter with Branson going 3 of 10 from the floor with four missed 3-point attempts from seniors Chandler Hall and Thatch Unruh.
“[Unruh’s] the kind of kid who you have to let shoot the basketball because he’s going to make shots eventually … he’s one of the best shooters in the area and he’s going to make big shots at the end of game,” McTague said.
Willard was led in scoring by junior guard Chris Kendrix, who totaled 31 points and electrified the home crowd with two one-handed dunks and forced the overtime with a last-second 3-point basket.
Hall played a big role in the game’s third period where the Pirates outscored the Tigers 20-7, with the senior forward getting six points in transition.
“First of all, Willard’s a heck of a team, and I was frustrated early with some shots not falling but coach told us to keep attacking the rim and some shots fell in,” said Hall after the game.
Hall’s scoring in the third was matched by Da’Quan Ervin, who led Branson in points with 21.
“He’s a big time difference maker … [and] he can make plays on both ends of the court and he’s got to realize when he does that it makes us a better team,” McTague said of his point guard’s play.
Ervin made two 3-pointers in overtime and totaled six steals and two blocks on defense.
McTague also praised the efforts of Isaiah Daniels, who went a perfect 6 of 6 from the free throw line as well as the penalty shooting of the rest of the team where the Pirates sank all 14 free-throws in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
The Pirates move to 9-4 on the season will face Sedalia Smith-Cotton on the road in tournament play on January 10, while Willard falls to 7-5 and will travel to Springfield Central on January 11.
Box Score: Q1 - Q2 - Q3 - Q4 - OT
Branson 8 14 20 11 12
Willard 13 16 7 17 8
Branson: Ervin 21, Unruh 18, Hall 12, Daniels 10, Drew Russell 4.
Willard: Kendrix 31, Kolbe Kinghorn 18, Cainen McGinnis 4, Landon Anderson 3, Levi McGinnis 3, Zakorey Barr 2.
Branson won a previous matchup against Willard with a 58-49 semifinal win in last month’s Blue and Gold tournament but struggled a little more in the rematch, trailing until the last two minutes of the 3rd quarter.
“They key to the game was our toughness level because we knew they were going to be jacked up on their home court so we’d have to match their intensity,” said Branson coach Brian McTague. “And I didn’t think we did that early on.”
Turnovers and missed shots plagued the Pirates in the first quarter with Branson going 3 of 10 from the floor with four missed 3-point attempts from seniors Chandler Hall and Thatch Unruh.
“[Unruh’s] the kind of kid who you have to let shoot the basketball because he’s going to make shots eventually … he’s one of the best shooters in the area and he’s going to make big shots at the end of game,” McTague said.
Willard was led in scoring by junior guard Chris Kendrix, who totaled 31 points and electrified the home crowd with two one-handed dunks and forced the overtime with a last-second 3-point basket.
Hall played a big role in the game’s third period where the Pirates outscored the Tigers 20-7, with the senior forward getting six points in transition.
“First of all, Willard’s a heck of a team, and I was frustrated early with some shots not falling but coach told us to keep attacking the rim and some shots fell in,” said Hall after the game.
Hall’s scoring in the third was matched by Da’Quan Ervin, who led Branson in points with 21.
“He’s a big time difference maker … [and] he can make plays on both ends of the court and he’s got to realize when he does that it makes us a better team,” McTague said of his point guard’s play.
Ervin made two 3-pointers in overtime and totaled six steals and two blocks on defense.
McTague also praised the efforts of Isaiah Daniels, who went a perfect 6 of 6 from the free throw line as well as the penalty shooting of the rest of the team where the Pirates sank all 14 free-throws in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
The Pirates move to 9-4 on the season will face Sedalia Smith-Cotton on the road in tournament play on January 10, while Willard falls to 7-5 and will travel to Springfield Central on January 11.
Box Score: Q1 - Q2 - Q3 - Q4 - OT
Branson 8 14 20 11 12
Willard 13 16 7 17 8
Branson: Ervin 21, Unruh 18, Hall 12, Daniels 10, Drew Russell 4.
Willard: Kendrix 31, Kolbe Kinghorn 18, Cainen McGinnis 4, Landon Anderson 3, Levi McGinnis 3, Zakorey Barr 2.
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