March 17, 2016 at 2:09 p.m.
Wildcats go one-and-done at state tourney
Wildcats go one-and-done at state tourney
The first round match-up Wednesday, March 9 at Williams Arena was a good fit for the Wildcats to advance to the second round and get a chance to derail DeLaSalle’s quest for five straight state titles.
Things started out great for the ‘Cats against first round opponent Monticello. After a pair of missed three pointers by both teams, big man Carter Duncan got the ‘Cats on the board with a rare three pointer.
That kicked off what would be an 11-4 run to start the contest for Chisago Lakes. They effectively drove the lane and got to the basket. They mixed in strong finishes with beautiful passes that gave open shots to their teammates. Everything seemed to be working in harmony.
After a layup from Ethan Hickcox put Chisago Lakes up 15-10, Monticello proceeded to go on an 8-0 run that not only gave them their first lead of the game but also energized their raucous crowd after CL’s faithful had set the tone. That run was just one part of a 16-2 run that really turned the fortunes of the game.
There were times in the stretch where calls were just not going the Wildcats’ way. They were still doing the work down in the paint and penetrating, but the Magic started to get more physical, and it paid off as the referees let them play a chippy style of defense. Chisago Lakes didn’t seem to get the benefit of those lax calls on the other end, as Monticello was in the bonus early and was constantly shooting free throws during the run.
In all, the free throw disparity in the first half was 13. Chisago Lakes was one-of-one while Monticello was 11-of-14.
With jsut over a minute left in the first half, the ‘Cats were down by nine and if not for a dominating finish from Dylan Wood, it could’ve been worse. Wood scored the last five points of the half and added a block and a steal on the defensive end to trim the lead to four and give the ‘Cats a chance going into the second half.
In the second half, Monticello started with two big three pointers and stretched the lead to 10 points, and that made it difficult for Chisago Lakes to climb back. They expended so much energy playing catch up. They trimmed the lead down to three at 41-38 but then Monticello went on a 9-0 run which gave them their biggest lead of the day at 12. The lead stayed at 12 until just over four minutes left and the Wildcats knew it was do-or-die time.
This team fought too hard this season to just roll over at that point, and they stormed back.
Wood cleaned up his own missed shot and hit a layup, followed by a free throw on the and-one. Then Wood forced a turnover on the defensive end and Ethan Hickcox knocked down a layup going back the other way. Suddenly the game was 54-47. After a Monticello miss, Thomas Gillach buried a corner three that cut the lead to four and resulted in a Monticello timeout. The big basket ignited the CL crowd and they were back in it.
The teams traded baskets in between a number of Chisago Lakes’ fouls in an attempt to get into the bonus.
With one more foul to give for CL, Monticello’s Matt Todd turned the ball over while trying to avoid a foul and it gave CL the chance they had been looking for with 50 seconds left in a four point game.
Wood, who had played a monstrous game at that point and had carried the team through certain stretches was visibly worn out at the line. He shorted both shots, leaving the gap at four points and CL in a tough spot.
Monticello made their last few free throws while Chisago Lakes missed their final shots. They got a three pointer from Gillach with one second left, but the game was decided at that point. The final scored read 60-55 in favor of the Magic.
For the game, Chisago Lakes was led by Wood’s 17 points, six rebounds and two steals. Hickcox had 15 points, six rebounds and one block while Carter Duncan had 11 points and 14 rebounds. All three are seniors and all three will be greatly missed next year. They were all multiple year starters for the Wildcats.
Monticello went on to finish fourth place, losing to DeLaSalle and Red Wing in their follow up games.
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