Wartburg Edges Coalfield 51-45 in Fight for Survival
By Terry Futrell
Some say the third time is the charm. So it was for the Wartburg Central Bulldogs Tuesday evening. After being swept by the Coalfield Yellow Jackets in two regular season games, the Bulldogs said “no” to a third defeat by the Jackets and forged ahead in the fourth quarter to eke out a 51-45 win. The victory earned the Bulldogs a spot in the District 3-1A semifinals Friday when they will play top-seed Oneida. The Bulldogs also earned a spot in regional play. The loss ends the season for Coalfield.
Coalfield defeated Wartburg during the regular season by eight points and by 10 points. The Bulldogs had won only one district match, defeating Oliver Springs on December 10. The Yellow Jackets had won three district games, defeating Sunbright on February 4 in addition to the two victories over Wartburg. The odds seemed to be in Coalfield’s favor.
The game got off to a slow start, thanks to intensive defensive pressure by both teams. With district MVP Tanner Johnson taking the lead with five points, Wartburg took a 9-8 lead in the first quarter. Long-range shots were challenged by both teams and not falling. Play in the paint was intense and ferocious.
Steven Jones buried a trey for Wartburg in the second quarter and Taner Branstetter put five hard-earned points in the paint on the board. Brayden Burgess paced the Jackets with four points in the quarter. Coalfield was unable to sink any 3-point shots for the entire first half. Wartburg had a slim 21-17 lead at the half.
The Yellow Jackets fought back in the third quarter, outscoring Wartburg 16-13 and cutting the Bulldogs’ lead to 34-33. Burgess continued to score for the Jackets, putting seven points on the board. Zach Armstrong buried a three and added five total points. Tucker West came through for the Jackets with four points. Jones buried his second three of the night for Wartburg, but it was Johnson who came through for the Bulldogs with eight points, including two threes.
Wartburg had their best scoring output in the fourth quarter, with Johnson and Branstetter scoring five points each. Caleb Quinney added four points, and five Bulldogs put points on the board. Burgess continued to deliver for Coalfield, adding five more points, with Tucker West scoring four points. Wartburg outscored the Jackets 17-12 and took the victory 51-45.
Key to Wartburg’s victory was Johnson’s 18 points and the strong inside play of Branstetter, who scored 12 points. Burgess led the Jackets with a game-high 19 points. West added 11 points and Armstrong contributed 9 points for Coalfield.
While this was considered a play-in game between the fourth- and fifth-seeded teams for the District 3-1A tournament, fans in attendance were treated to some of the strongest, most smothering defense by both teams that we have seen all season.
Boys district semifinal action takes place at Wartburg on Friday, with the championship and consolation games at Wartburg next Tuesday.
