District 3-1A Basketball Tournament Roundup – February 12, 2019
By Terry Futrell
The District 3-1A Boys Basketball Tournament kicked off with three games on tap. There were no surprises as the three higher seeded teams – Sunbright, Rockwood, and Wartburg – each scored first-round victories.
Sunbright Ends Midway’s Season 72-63
The six-seed Sunbright Tigers used a balanced scoring attack to defeat the seven-seed Midway Greenwave 72-63, giving the boys from South of the River an early start on baseball. Sunbright led 15-14 after one, but it was the Tigers whopping 24-16 scoring advantage in the second quarter that proved to be decisive in the victory. Leading 39-30 at the half, Sunbright matched Midway point-for-point in the second half to seal the victory and a slot in the second round of the District 3-1A tournament.
Sunbright was led by Hunter Bunch with 24 points. According to Coach Thomas Davis, Bunch has been on fire recently, scoring 20-27-24 points in his last three games. Wes Bohanan had a big night inside, scoring 19 points. John Freels poured in 15 points for the Tigers. Blaine Townsend had a hot night for Midway, scoring 23 points. Jason Taylor added 18 points for the Greenwave.
Sunbright moves on to play three-seed Oakdale at 7:00 PM Thursday on the Eagles home court. The Tigers upset Oakdale 71-58 on January 22 and are looking to do it again. The loss brings an end to Midway’s season.
Rockwood Overpowers Oliver Springs 55-49
Rockwood proved that when it comes to a battle between felines, the Tiger is stronger than the Bobcat. The five-seed Rockwood Tigers sent eight-seed Oliver Springs home, defeating the Bobcats 55-49. This was Rockwood’s third victory over Oliver Springs this season, but by a much closer margin than earlier matchups between the two teams.
Rockwood now faces four-seed Wartburg at 7:00 PM on Thursday at Wartburg in the second round of the District 3-1A tournament. The Tigers last faced Wartburg on January 25 and defeated the Bulldogs by a comfortable margin, 67-52.
Wartburg Survives Coalfield Scare 70-64
Four-seed Wartburg should be thankful for nine-seed Coalfield’s slow first-quarter start in which the Bulldogs built a 16-8 lead. From there, the two teams matched point-for-point until Coalfield took a 2-point scoring advantage in the fourth quarter. For the Yellow Jackets, it was not enough to overcome Wartburg’s early lead, and the Bulldogs move on with a 70-64 victory over Coalfield.
Bulldog Jake Branstetter had one of his best nights of the season and scored 29 points for the Bulldogs. Branstetter poured in seven 2-point baskets, four treys, and shot three of four from the charity stripe. Colby Justes added 10 points for Wartburg, Caleb McCarty nine points, Elijah Langley eight points, and Caleb Constant seven points. Coalfield’s Kyle Seiber had a superlative night, scoring 27 points for the Yellow Jackets. Seiber poured in nine 2-point baskets, hit one 3-pointer, and shot six of seven free throws. Peyton Hutcherson scored 12 points for the Jackets.
Wartburg hosts Rockwood at home on Thursday at 7:00 PM in a game that promises to be anything but loving coziness on Valentine’s Day. The Bulldogs took a whipping from Rockwood on January 25, 67-52. The loss ended Coalfield’s season and their many multisport athletes will now move on to baseball.