Sports
Western uses Perimeter Offense to Get Past South Gallia
< < Back toBryce Brewster controlled from the opening minute and helped lead his Western Indians to the district finals with the 47-45 win over the South Gallia Rebels.
The final 30 seconds went back-and-forth, eventually putting it at 47-45. With eight seconds left, South Gallia had the ball and chucked up a final attempt 3-pointer, but a jump ball was called on the rebound. With .4 seconds left, South Gallia got the ball back but failed to get the ball in to a shooter, giving Western the victory.
Western dominated the boards on both sides, controlling the ball for most of the opening quarter. The Indians loved the 3-point line, shooting 35 percent from the arc on the night. They eventually found their way into the pain to score some deuces. South Gallia started the first 30 seconds of the game strong but couldn’t stay consistent in the first quarter. The Rebels were unable to penetrate the paint, going 7-27 in the first half. Western led at the end of the first, 14-9.
South Gallia’s struggles continued into the second quarter. They just could not find the bottom of the net. However, they stepped up their defensive game tremendously in the second quarter. They played tighter on the ball, forcing Western to just pass the ball around the top of the key. They caused 11 turnovers in the first half, which completely flustered Western. The Indians didn’t score their first, second quarter field goal until the 4:49 mark. It was just poor shooting on both sides; it was more of a defensive battle. South Gallia closed the gap, down only 22-18 going into the locker room.
The Rebels came out a completely different team in the third quarter. They picked up their first lead of the game, 23-22, at the 5:09 mark off of a made breakaway layup. Western, again, made their first, second half field goal very late in the third quarter at the 4:00 mark. The Rebels calmed down tremendously, making breakaway layups, running an offense and being patient with the ball. They held that lead going into the fourth quarter, up 32-30.
Western found its groove again in the fourth quarter. The Indians tied it up right out of the gate, and it would stay that way until the 6:12 mark where Western would take the lead back, 34-32. South Gallia and Western went basket-for-basket throughout the final quarter until Brewster created an eight point gap with two three pointers and a short bunny, giving Western a 42-34 lead with 4:23 left in the game.
Brewster had a stellar night with 21 points and six boards.
South Gallia’s top performer was Landon Hutchinson with 23 points and three steals.
South Gallia finished the season at 18-6. Western will play Sciotoville on March 5th at 2pm in the Convocation Center.