Sunbright Crushed by Oliver Springs in District Semis 53-38

By Terry Futrell

A disastrous first half led to the Sunbright Tigers crushing 53-38 defeat at the hands of the second-seed Oliver Springs Bobcats in the District 3-1A semifinals Friday evening. The Tigers’ normal fast-paced transition offense came to a screeching halt as Sunbright was forced into a half-court offense that gave them little opportunity to score in the paint. As a result, the Tigers scored only two baskets in the first quarter, falling behind the Bobcats 10-5.

Led by Keaton McDonald’s seven points, the Bobcats expanded their lead to 25-13 at the half. With Colton Nitzschke on the bench in foul trouble, the Tiger’s continued to suffer offensively, tallying only three baskets in the second quarter.

Sunbright had their best scoring performance in the third quarter, matching Oliver Springs by putting 13 points on the board. The Bobcats continued to lead 38-26 at the end of three.

Nitzschke reappeared and gave the Sunbright offense a boost in the fourth quarter, scoring six points for the Tigers. But the Tigers could only muster 12 points in the quarter, while Oliver Springs’ Tanner Melton led the Bobcats, scoring nine of their 15 fourth-quarter points.

The Bobcats walked away with a 53-38 victory and the opportunity to play Oneida for the championship Tuesday evening. Sunbright will face Wartburg in the consolation game on Tuesday.