The Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team is pictured with the district championship trophy the team won February 29 with a 74-46 win over Marshall Academy at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
By Bruce Rolfe
The regular season had its share of frustrations for the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team. But those frustrations were quickly forgotten in the district tournament when the Panthers were able to capture three wins to claim the school district’s first district championship since 2013.
C-S took an 8-17 record into the regional semifinals against Kalamazoo Phoenix March 5 at Fowler (log onto the Climax Crescent Facebook page for final score). A win in the regional semifinal game would send the Panthers into the regional finals March 7 against the winner of the Fowler-Wyoming Tri-Unity semifinal game.
Ever since the opening tip of the post season, the Panthers have been dialed in, especially in the February 29, 74-46 win over Marshall Academy for the district championship at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
The first half left an impression that the game would be close the entire way. But the Panthers took charge in the second half with some outstanding defense and impressive play inside to pull away.
C-S led most of the first half, but a five-point lead after one quarter (16-11) was the largest lead the home team managed until Chase VanMiddlesworth scored with 2:48 left for a 24-18 lead. That was part of an 8-0 run that gave the Panthers a 28-18 lead with 1:48 left in the first half.
C-S settled for a 30-25 lead at halftime.
While Marshall Academy kept its hopes alive with a 12-point deficit (50-38) after three quarters, C-S put the clamps down defensively and executed at the offensive end with many fast break and inside opportunities in the fourth quarter.
C-S outscored the visitors 24-8 in the final quarter to pull away.
Marshall Academy opened the final quarter with a basket to pull to within 50-40 with 7:47 left, but a 16-0 run by C-S that created a 66-40 lead for the Panthers with 4:06 left, secured the win.
Miles Shannon scored a season high 31 points to go with seven rebounds, six assists and seven blocked shots. Luke Lawrence added 10 points and Billy Felton contributed eight points, four assists and six steals.
Marshal Academy 11 14 13 8 - 46
Climax-Scotts 16 14 20 24 - 74
Chase VanMiddlesworth 13, Tyler Smith 6, Luke Lawrence 10, Billy Felton 8, Johann Albarran 1, Tye Chambers 1, Gage Champion 4, Miles Shannon 31
Free throws: C-S 12-20/Marshall Academy 7-18
3-point baskets: C-S 4 (Tyler Smith 2, Chase VanMiddlesworth 1, Billy Felton 1)/Marshall Academy 5 (Jordan Patterson 2, Kyler Reid 2, Delray White 1)
C-S Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Miles Shannon 7, Tyler Smith 6, Chase VanMiddlesworth 5
Steals: Billy Felton 6, Luke Lawrence 3
Assists: Miles Shannon 6, Luke Lawrence 4, Billy Felton 4
Blocked shots: Miles Shannon 7
The regular season had its share of frustrations for the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team. But those frustrations were quickly forgotten in the district tournament when the Panthers were able to capture three wins to claim the school district’s first district championship since 2013.
C-S took an 8-17 record into the regional semifinals against Kalamazoo Phoenix March 5 at Fowler (log onto the Climax Crescent Facebook page for final score). A win in the regional semifinal game would send the Panthers into the regional finals March 7 against the winner of the Fowler-Wyoming Tri-Unity semifinal game.
Ever since the opening tip of the post season, the Panthers have been dialed in, especially in the February 29, 74-46 win over Marshall Academy for the district championship at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
The first half left an impression that the game would be close the entire way. But the Panthers took charge in the second half with some outstanding defense and impressive play inside to pull away.
C-S led most of the first half, but a five-point lead after one quarter (16-11) was the largest lead the home team managed until Chase VanMiddlesworth scored with 2:48 left for a 24-18 lead. That was part of an 8-0 run that gave the Panthers a 28-18 lead with 1:48 left in the first half.
C-S settled for a 30-25 lead at halftime.
While Marshall Academy kept its hopes alive with a 12-point deficit (50-38) after three quarters, C-S put the clamps down defensively and executed at the offensive end with many fast break and inside opportunities in the fourth quarter.
C-S outscored the visitors 24-8 in the final quarter to pull away.
Marshall Academy opened the final quarter with a basket to pull to within 50-40 with 7:47 left, but a 16-0 run by C-S that created a 66-40 lead for the Panthers with 4:06 left, secured the win.
Miles Shannon scored a season high 31 points to go with seven rebounds, six assists and seven blocked shots. Luke Lawrence added 10 points and Billy Felton contributed eight points, four assists and six steals.
Marshal Academy 11 14 13 8 - 46
Climax-Scotts 16 14 20 24 - 74
Chase VanMiddlesworth 13, Tyler Smith 6, Luke Lawrence 10, Billy Felton 8, Johann Albarran 1, Tye Chambers 1, Gage Champion 4, Miles Shannon 31
Free throws: C-S 12-20/Marshall Academy 7-18
3-point baskets: C-S 4 (Tyler Smith 2, Chase VanMiddlesworth 1, Billy Felton 1)/Marshall Academy 5 (Jordan Patterson 2, Kyler Reid 2, Delray White 1)
C-S Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Miles Shannon 7, Tyler Smith 6, Chase VanMiddlesworth 5
Steals: Billy Felton 6, Luke Lawrence 3
Assists: Miles Shannon 6, Luke Lawrence 4, Billy Felton 4
Blocked shots: Miles Shannon 7
