Wolves gain first win at Trojans’ expense

Conrad Allen Holiday Tournament

By JOHN ROARK

john.roark@register-news.com

WAYNE CITY — Not that it was handed away, but Clay City Wednesday night picked up a big Christmas present courtesy of the Webber Township High School boys basketball team.

Forcing a tie in regulation, the winless Wolves trailed just a tad less than 20 seconds in overtime and grabbed the lead for good in the final 32 seconds for a 44-41 victory at the Conrad Allen Holiday Tournament.

Webber (1-8) was considered a slight favor on the basis of its one win, but Sam Root’s team was at times impatient. And, as usually is the case with two struggling teams, neither team could put the other away.

That is, until Ian Kessler slipped backdoor for the go-ahead layup at 32.6 seconds, and after two dry trips for the Trojans, Alex Bayler was fouled and made two free throws at 12.4, giving the Wolves a three-point lead and forcing Webber to put up two off-line 3-point attempts in the closing seconds.

“ I give Clay City’s kids credit, they played hard,” Root said. “They made some big-time plays when they needed to and knocked down big shots.”

Webber led for most of the first half, trailing at 4-2 and then catching fire in the second quarter to take a 20-13 lead on a Ethan Gowler basket.

However, Webber went scoreless in the final 2:10 of the half, and Clay City narrowed the gap to 20-17 at the half.

The Wolves continued their run into the third frame, scoring the first two baskets to go ahead 21-20. WTHS countered with a 6-0 run. Kyle Langa hit a shot out front, Isaac Lowery converted in transition and Gowler got the roll on a short jumper in the lane, making it 26-21 midway through the period.

But again, the Trojans hit a dry spell, going the final 4:09 without a point, and Clay City rolled off two scores to make it 26-25 at the third stop.

The teams then locked horns in the final 4:43. Ethan Brown’s halfcourt steal turned into a pair of made free throws by Bayler to give Clay City a 31-30 lead.

Lowery made a game-tying free throw 10 seconds later, but Clay City freshman Dylan Wolfe nailed a 3-pointer at 3:46 to put Webber on point, 34-31. After the teams swapped baskets, Lowery cut the lead to 36-35 with a score.

Both teams showed their lack of experience in playing under pressure, all which led to steals, missed free throws and numerous blown chances.

Webber forced overtime when Bodendieck was fouled following a steal by Gowler at 54.7 seconds. Bodendieck made one of two foul shots, and the closing seconds saw both teams fail to cash in twice. Kessler missed the front end of two bonus situations, and Webber couldn’t get a final shot to drop.

“You could tell that was ... first big pressure situation for these kids in varsity action,” Root said, “because we really struggled to find someone to rise up and someone who wanted to handle the pressure and knock down a shot.”

Ethan Brown broke the tie in overtime on a runout, and he then blocked Gowler’s shot from the corner which led to a pair of free throws by Bayler at 2:02 (40-36).

A pair of free throws from Koatlin Dye and one of two from Bodendieck cut the lead to one, 40-29, and Gowler later made two freebies at 52.3 seconds to give Webber its last points — and lead — at 41-40.

Kessler made his layup at 32.6 seconds, and after two misfires by Webber, Bayler was fouled and made both his free throws — Bayler finished 6 of 6 at the line.

Needing a 3-pointer to tie, Webber was off the mark twice, and the Wolves escaped with their first win.

Root said his team at times rushed its shots, and didn’t look inside for shots in the second half against a packed-in Clay City zone defense.

“We had a lot of open shots all night,” Root said. “When they play a sagging zone like that, you have to have people who want the basketball in crunch time. I think at times they wanted to get something off after throwing two or three passes, and we have to be more patient than that. “

Webber finishes up tourney play Friday at 6:30 p.m. against Patoka.

In other games Wednesday night, Zeigler-Royalton remained perfect in the event with a 62-34 pasting of Patoka, and Edwards County slammed Grayville, 65-25.



Conrad Allen Holiday Tournament

Clay City 44, Webber 41 OT

Webber 10 10 6 10 5—41

ClayCity 8 9 8 11 8—44

WEBBER (1-8)

Bodendieck 3 4-6 10, Dye 5 2-4 12, Gowler 4 2-2 10, Lowery 3 1-3 7, Langa 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 9-15 41

CLAY CITY (1-9)

Klingler 2 1-2 5, Bayler 2 6-6 10, TWolfe 3 0-0 6, JBrown 2 0-0 4, DWolfe 2 0-0 2 5, Kessler 2 2-5 6, EBrown 3 2-2 8. Totals 16 11-17 44

3-point goal — Clay City (DWolfe). Team fouls — Webber 18, Clay City 15. Fouled out — Langa.

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