By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Springfield, Mo. – Logen Plumb has always prided himself on taking charges. That skill made all the difference for Reeds Spring on Tuesday morning.
The 6-foot-5 senior forward took back-to-back charges with under 20 seconds remaining in the game, helping the Wolves hold off eighth-seed Stockton in the Blue Division opening round of the Blue and Gold Tournament at Hammons Student Center.
“I’m a charge fanatic,” Reeds Spring coach Barry Yocum said. “I always have been. It’s the most selfless thing you can do on the basketball floor. … He’s just a very unselfish guy, willing to put his body on the line for his team.”
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Reeds Spring held a 47-46 lead with 19 seconds remaining when Plumb drew the first charge. After the Wolves made a pair of free throws to stretch the lead to 49-46, he drew another.
“I don’t try to block shots unless I know I’m not going to get a charge,” said Plumb, who set a school record last year with 24 charges taken. “Coach praises taking them, so it just comes naturally.”
Plumb finished with 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting for the Wolves. He also added 11 rebounds. Lane Carroll had 15 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 34 seconds left. Clayton Hubbard finished with 15 points for Stockton, while Drew Wheeler added 10 points.
Stockton held a 46-42 lead with 58 seconds remaining, but couldn’t hold off the Wolves’ late charge. Plumb made a layup and got fouled, pulling Reeds Spring within 46-44. After he missed the free throw, the rebound was knocked out to Carroll who sunk a right-wing 3-pointer.
“We practice that every day,” Yocum joked of the fortuitous bounce to Carroll.
Stockton’s defense held the Wolves in check for most of the game. Reeds Spring shot 43 percent from the floor (20 of 47) and turned the ball over 20 times. Stockton had 15 steals, led by Jake Wheeler’s eight.
The Tigers shot 49 percent from the field (18 of 37) but were out-rebounded 34-15. Along with Plumb’s 11 rebounds, Reeds Spring got seven rebounds from Robbie Huseman and six from Lance Hafar.
Reeds Spring will now face top-seed Nixa in the Blue Division quarterfinals at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at JQH Arena. Stockton draws Skyline at 9:30 a.m. in the consolation bracket quarterfinals at Hammons Student Center.
Reeds Spring 50, Stockton 46
RSHS 14 12 12 12 50
SHS 14 11 11 10 46
Reeds Spring: Plumb 20, Carroll, 15, Crutcher 8, Hafar 4, Froeschle 2, Nordin 1
Stockton: Hubbard 15, Wheeler 10, Kenney 8, Greenlee 7, Wheeler 6
