By Tyler Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD — As pregame warmups began Tuesday evening at New Covenant Academy, there was a calm before the storm.
And that storm included a balanced attack, as the New Covenant Academy Warriors authored the 67-31 win against Everton — giving the host Warriors their first outright conference championship since 2003.
While the 19-4 record is impressive, the sustainable success has seen its fair share of bumps in the road.
“It’s guys that are just handling any type of adversity and having mental toughness to them,” said Warriors first-year head coach Ryan Worley. “From the beginning of the season, having to replace a coach and what that does to a person, bouncing back from that and doing what this coach [Worley] asks — there has been plenty of internal adversity.”
The Warriors set the tempo — both offensively and defensively — from the onset.
New Covenant came out with unparalleled intensity, cruising to the fast 10-0 lead, only to see that lead increase to 17-7 going into the second quarter.
From there, players such as 6’9” junior Garrett Simmerman, 6’4” senior Brennan Williams, and 6’4” senior guard Tim Smith found their rhythm early in the second quarter.
But the defense clamped down, offering an arm of complementary basketball, cutting off passing lanes and collapsing the paint — forcing the Tigers to earn each and every possession.
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“I think it is huge. I think you can focus on one guy, and then somebody else is ready to step up,” Worley said of the balanced team — which is comprised of seven players who stand at least 6’1. “That hasn’t been the case all year. We have had some times when guys are struggling, and we have had to lean on Tim [Smith] and Cameron [Altena], and Garrett’s had some big games for us. We’re really at that point where we have some guys who are playing their best in their role. It is a piece of the puzzle.”
Worley added that his team has benefitted from the tough losses as much as the wins — commenting on the collective development that has evolved throughout the winter.
“Anytime you go through any type of adversity, you have a choice; you can either feel sorry for yourself, or you can step up and hit it head-on,” said Worley. “I think that is what these guys have done. A coaching change that comes with a philosophy change and the struggles that come with that, a lot of times they just needed to push through. We were able to keep them right where they need to be at the end of the season, where they can feel more confident. It has been a process. To be 19-4 is pretty amazing for these guys.”
In the second half, the Warriors opened up the third with the commanding 36-16 lead, as Simmerman — who led all scorers with his 19 points — converted the putback.
Smith then hit one of two from the charity stripe, followed by Simmerman’s 10-footer, which extended the lead to 39-18.
Simmerman’s height and wingspan dictated the tempo in the paint, as his ability to win 50-50 balls and command the glass on the offensive end gave added possessions, and the perimeter game began to open up, as Jonathan Dille connected for the shot from beyond the arc.
Simmerman said the quick-strike offense highlighted the game plan.
“It is really good. Every time we come out with a good start, we normally can keep the game going,” said Simmerman. “We really don’t lose our momentum. So, if we can come out to a good start, then the game goes well.”
With the Warriors typically owning the height differential, especially throughout the conference, the confidence ratchets up a notch or two — making the on-court product that much more explosive.
Added Simmerman: “I think it helps with our confidence. We know, on defense, that no one is going to be able to shoot over us. So, if we play good defense, they aren’t going to get a shot over us. It helps a lot.”
The Warriors close out the season Thursday against Hurley, and Simmerman said he likes the energy and fortitude his counterparts have displayed since the Christmas break.
“I think we have played well. We have more people stepping up and scoring,” Simmerman said. “I think as long as we can just keep getting better, I think we can play our best basketball once we get to districts.”
The Warriors are the two seed in next week’s Class 2 District 10 Tournament, where they meet Pleasant Hope at 7 p.m. Feb. 18, at Spokane.
Scoring:
Warriors: Simmerman-19; Williams-18; Smith-15; Dille-6; Logan Jackson-5.
Tigers: Cory Brewer-5; Chris Haskins-11; Pedro Silva-4; Tre Shearer-8; Evan Harden-3.
