WEBB CITY, Mo. — Thomas Jefferson is headed back to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs for the second time in as many years after taking the lead early in the first quarter and never surrendering it on the way to a 55-35 win over Rich Hill in the Class 1 sectional round on Tuesday inside the Cardinal Dome at Webb City High School.
“It was a good team win,” Thomas Jefferson coach Chris Myers said. “It is very exciting. It is a true blessing and we talked about that with the guys. It is a true blessing to be able to get back, but we didn’t come into this season with quarterfinals as our goal. We came up one game short of the Final Four last year and we have been preaching it this year. We are just happy to have a chance to have the opportunity to get there.”
The Cavaliers improved to 22-6 and are back in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament. Thomas Jefferson matches up with St. Elizabeth, who the Cavaliers lost to in the quarterfinals a year ago. However, Thomas Jefferson plans to use that experience as a catalyst this go round.
“They have lost a couple of guys and we have lost a couple of guys,” Coach Myers said about the quarterfinal rematch from a year ago. “It is going to be a different game I think than last year. … I honestly feel like we are a better team this year. We lost some good players, but we are a better team (all around). We are able to rotate some guys this year and go nine or 10 deep if we need to. I am really proud of our team and I am confident in our ability to go and compete.”
GAME ACTION
Despite being down starter Jake Jarrett to illness coupled with big man Jay Ball relegated to the bench for much of the first half after picking up two early fouls, Thomas Jefferson took its first lead with 6:32 on the clock in the opening quarter on a three-point play by Tyler Brouhard to make the score 5-2 and never relinquished it.
“We got the call this morning that a guy is home sick and then Jay gets in early foul trouble, and all of a sudden instead of (playing) seven or eight (guys down the rotation), you’re nine or 10 deep,” Coach Myers said of his team’s effort playing shorthanded. “It was a true testament to the kids. They are buying in and doing what they’ve got to do. They’re all stepping up and playing for each other, finding a way to get it done.
“If one goes down, the next guy has to be ready. Luke Miller and Elias Rinker came in to play that four/five spot with those guys out. (Miller and Rinker) are seniors who have been working hard in the program for years. Happy to see them come in and contribute in this one tonight.”
Brouhard added an offensive board for a putback bucket at the buzzer to send the Cavs into the second period with a 12-8 advantage. After a back-and-forth battle for much of the quarter, Thomas Jefferson scored the final two baskets on an inside score from Caden Myers and a score on the break by Drew Goodhope to hold a 27-21 advantage at the intermission.
As they have for much of this postseason run, the Cavaliers amped up the intensity on the defensive end in the second half, holding Rich Hill (14-12) to four points in the third quarter and stretching the cushion to 13 points by the start of the final eight minutes. Levi Triplett led TJ’s scoring in the quarter with five points, including a 3-pointer, while Ball had four points.
“Jay’s presence was huge (in the third quarter),” Coach Myers said of the defensive effort after the intermission. “Him around the rim changes everything. Our guard pressure was a little better, but (Jay) just altering shots and blocking some shots got them out of sync offensively. Then, we were able to execute on our end.”
The Cavaliers took the momentum from the third quarter and doubled down on it to open the fourth, scoring the first 10 points of the period to build a 48-25 advantage near the midway mark, ending any chance of a Rich Hill comeback bid.
Caden Myers opened the run with a 3-pointer from the top of the key before Brouhard had an inside score and Ball grabbed an offensive board for a putback to push the lead to 20, 45-25, with six minutes left. Ball added another bucket in the low post as the last field goal of the run.
STAT LEADERS
Brouhard led Thomas Jefferson with 17 points and 13 rebounds to finish with a double-double. He added three blocks and two steals on the defensive end. Ball finished with 13 points and seven boards to go along with two blocks. Goodhope finished with 11 points and two rebounds, while Caden Myers finished with nine points, five rebounds and four assists.
Magal Chol-Case closed with a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double for Rich Hill. Lane Hardin and Zane Becker each had seven points in the loss.
