San Antonio Taft 57 San Antonio Churchill 47

This one's a game I'd like to see a couple of rounds later, but it happens in the 2nd Round.  These are arguably the two best teams in the Region (although San Antonio Reagan & San Antonio Clark would take exception to that). It's speed (Taft) vs size (Churchill).  We'll se what wins out.  It's always difficult for me in games like this knowing the kids like I do on both sides of the ball.

The score after one quarter is Taft 17-13.  The pace is quick and favoring the smaller & quicker Raiders. Logan has 6 for Taft & Senior Clark Lammert has 6 for Churchill.

At the half it's 28-22 for Taft.  They had the lead up to 9. A sweet turnaround shot from 15 feet at the buzzer off an offensive rebound by Clark Lammert could be critical.  If Taft gets up by 10 and spreads the floor, I don't believe Churchill has the depth to chase them.  The first 2 minutes of the 3rd quarter could be critical.

Churchill could not get a stop to get the lead under 6 points until a series where Senior Clark Lammert got 2 key boards, a block & a bucket. Spirited play by Charger reserve Doug Slattery cut it to 2 points aand then at the buzzer Taft's Dylan Elias (Northern Colorado) hits a big three.  Taft 42-37 at the end of the 3rd.

With 5:30 left Churchill grabbed their first lead 44-43 on a key block by Connor Lammert and a big three converted by 2012 G Scott Mammel.  Elias answers back and it's 45-44 Taft with 5:18 to play.  Time out!  Taft spreads the floor and burns about a minute, and Logan gets an "And 1" for Taft.  Another bucket by Taft and with 3:06 to play the score is Taft 50-44. It's a free throw shooting contest now, and Taft wins going away 57-47.

Northern Colorado bound Dylan Elias not only scored 20 to lead Taft, it was that they were all big shots and key free throws down the stretch

                    
For Taft, Senior Deondre Logan had 12, Marshall Harris (Citadel) had 10 assists, & Ryan O'Hara had 8 points.  All came off great feeds from Harris.  For Churchill, Senior Clark Lammert left it all on the floor as he had 12 points & 11 boards.  2012 Connor Lammert chipped in with 8 points & 10 rebounds & 2012 G Scott Mammel scored 14.