District Finalist Chipola and Indian River Battle Again In Quarterfinal
Three teams had advanced to the National Semifinals. Cowley College (KS) and Ranger College (TX), who will meet at 5:00 Friday, April 23. On the other side of the bracket there was Coffeyville CC (KS) waiting to find out who they would be matched up with at 7:00 on Friday.
The two teams fighting it out for a chance to play Coffeyville were both from the same Region (8), and therefore the same District (South Atlantic). And…they had just met two weeks ago in the District Championship game, on a neutral court at Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL
In that game, Indian River fell behind early and trailed 50-35 at halftime. The Pioneers were able to keep the game respectable by outscoring the Indians 40-38, but the damage had been done, and Chipola walked away with an 88-75 mastery.
In the rematch, Indian River was able to turn the table on the Indians. Leading by as much as 13 in the first half, Chipola started their comeback. With just under 2:00 to play in the opening period, Dontae Walker hit a three, knotting things up at 35. The Pioneers outscored their opponent 6-2 to settle for a 41-37 lead heading to the locker room.
Indian River was in control almost the entire second half, extending their lead to 9 on two occasions. But with 2:20 on the clock, Chipola’s Carlos Lemus hit a three to put the Indians back in front, 72-70, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
CC’s cushion went to 4, their largest of the game, with just under 2 to play. But with 68 seconds remaining, The River’s AJ Cajuste hit two foul shots to catapult IRSC back in front. Eight seconds later, Lance Erving of the Indians made the back end of his two throws for the final tie of the game.
On the ensuing possession, The River’s AJ Cajuste had a clean look at a layup…for a second, but out of nowhere came Duke McCloed (7’3″ RS-FR from Philadelphia, PA) who blocked it and grabbed the ball instead of trying to send it to the upper deck. Great play, great decision. Time out…Chipola.
Following the time out, Jaeden Zackery somehow got free and hit a mid-ranger for a 77-75 Indian advantage.
Down two with about 10 ticks on the clock, the Region 8 Player of the Year, Pioneers Linton Brown made a costly, uncharacteristic turnover. The River had to foul and with :03 left, Nae’Qwan Tomlin hit one of his two opportunities for the final three point margin.
Indian River was out of time. And out of luck. An impressive run through their first appearance ever at Hutch, ended in the quarterfinals, to the same team who beat them in the District final.
The Pioneers had lead for almost 37 minutes against one of the top teams in country, and not only lead but controlled the game.
Head Coach Charlie Wilson had this to say, “I thought we represented well, represented our region 8 well, for the first time out here for our program. I thought our first win justified our spot here, I feel our second win showed people we belonged, and tonight, for 38 minutes we lead a team who I feel can win it all.”
The loss finishes the Pioneers season with a 20-4 record. AJ Cajuste (6’1″ SO from Baco Raton, FL) paced the IRSC attack, pouring 19 through the cords. Behind AJ was Antrell Charlton at 16 plus 6 assists. Andoulaye Thiam topped off with 11. Jacob Jackson led the team with 5 rebounds. For the game, Indian River was outmuscled on the boards by 8, 34-26.
Outscoring Indian River 41-34 in the second half for the win, Chipola moves into the semifinals to meet Coffeyville CC (KS). Their record now stands at 23-4. The final four match up with the No. 10 seed Red Ravens starts Friday at 7:00.
“I give them credit, they (Indian River) are as tough mentally and physically as any team we’ve played this year,” stated Chipola Head Coach Donnie Tyndell. He continued, “They controlled most of the game. But give our guys credit too. We converted when we had to, and we finally were able to get over the hump. Then we made some crucial stops late in the game.”
Carrying the Indians to the round of four was Jaeden Zackery, who totaled 24 points and was game high 8 on helpers. Jaeden is a 6’2″ FR hailing from Salem, WI. Following Zackery in scoring were Lance Erving with 14 and Tomlin with 10. Three players had 5 rebounds for team high, Lemus, Tomlin, and Jo Smith.
