In a back and forth game, Andrean used pressure defense and a late 11-0 run to come from behind and take the 2019 2A state championship with a 59-54 win over Linton-Stockton. (Pictured: Kyle Ross)

 

The first half was a back and forth affair, with Linton leading by two after one period. Linton was a bit sloppy in the second, as Andrean put together a 6-0 run to get in front. Andrean would have the lead after two periods, as Nick Flesher raced the length of the floor for a layup that beat the halftime horn following a missed Linton-Stockton triple.

 

Linton-Stockton came out firing in the second half, hitting three triples in the third quarter to regain the lead heading into the fourth. Any shots that Linton missed were frequently cleaned up by the Miners, who scored 10 second-chance points off of a dozen offensive rebounds.

 

Andrean put three players into double figures, led by 16 points from John Carrothers and Kyle Ross and supported by 12 from Nick Flesher. Those three scored all 19 of Andrean’s fourth-quarter points as the 59ers were able to trap and force turnovers on Linton-Stockton late in the fourth. The Miners led 54-48 with two minutes remaining, but those turnovers would doom Linton, as Andrean quickly converted them into layups and free throws. 

 

An 11-0 run to end the game gave Andrean their first state title in boys basketball. The Miners were held scoreless for the final 2:05 of the game as Andrean put pressure with double teams and traps. Linton-Stockton lost in their first state title appearance since 2013. The Miners were led by Tucker Hayes’ 15 points, and Kip Fougerousse and Lincoln Hale each added 11. Hayes was huge as Linton built its lead in the third and fourth quarter.