(Graphic via Twitter.com/CCityEaglesAD)

 

Columbia City used a 22-7 run that spanned the halftime break to dig out of an early hole and hang on to defeat West Noble Friday night. But, in a battle of talented junior guards, Andrew Hedrick and his team got the best of Austin Cripe and the Chargers.

 

 

The game started as a race to 20 points, as a Nevin Phares bucket in the lane was the only scoring for either side four minutes in. However, both offenses would eventually settle in, and the hosts would take a one-point lead after the first quarter.

 

The visitors' turn to take control as the second period began, with the Chargers starting the quarter on a 9-2 spurt. Their run would eventually extend to an 18-3 mark, as a one-point deficit would turn into a 14 point lead late in the half. Austin Cripe was critical in this run, as he was able to get into the lane and find teammates for easy buckets at the rim. In addition, sophomore forward Bradyn Barth would come off the bench to provide a pair of post baskets against the smaller frontline of the Eagles.

 

Columbia City's fortunes would change before the break, as West Noble star Austin Cripe would pick up his second and third fouls on back-to-back possessions, both on the offensive end of the floor. That allowed the Eagles to chip away at the deficit and close the half on an 8-0 run to get within a half dozen entering the locker room.

 

Whatever was said by head coach Matt Schauss in the locker room at the half, it lit a spark in his Columbia City side. In the third period, the Eagles came out with aggression, trapping on defense and looking to push the tempo

off of turnovers. The 8-0 run before halftime would lead to a 14-7 advantage after the break as Columbia City would claim the lead. The duo of Mason Baker and Andrew Hedrick was vital in that 22-7 stretch, as they continually put pressure on a susceptible West Noble defense.

 

Austin Cripe's fourth foul would come with 1:15 left in the third and put Columbia City into the bonus for the last nine minutes and change. The margin would never get more than one possession, as neither team could do anything to create separation. After starting the game 1-6 at the foul line, Columbia City would have a stretch of making all but one of 17 free throw attempts before Alex Hedrick split a pair midway through the fourth. But the Eagles could not contain Cripe, who could use his quickness to get into the lane at will and score on a variety of moves.

 

Andrew Hedrick would finally give his team some breathing room, making it a two-possession game with just over two minutes remaining. Forced to foul, Cripe, who was saddled with four fouls, had a lapse of judgment and committed his fifth foul intentionally on Seth Mills. Mills would split his free throws, and after a Charger miss, Andrew Hedrick would corral the rebound and make it a six-point game. A Nevin Phares desperation three went in, but the Eagles were able to inbound and find Rhet Wilson, who sank a pair of free throws for his only points of the night to provide the final margin.

 

Columbia City went 25-33 from the free-throw line, while West Noble was just 8-10. That free throw margin and holding West Noble to just 4-17 from three-point range were the catalysts in claiming the win for Columbia City.

 

Junior guard Andrew Hedrick led the Eagles with 20 points, while senior Mason Baker had 11 points to go along with three boards, three dimes, and four steals.

 

Austin Cripe's 19 points led the Chargers, but he was the only one in double figures for West Noble. Forwards Nevin Phares and Bradyn Barth each accounted for eight points on the evening.

 

 

West Noble     8  18  13  11  -  50

Columbia City  9  11  20  15  -  55

 

West Noble: Austin Cripe 19 points (6/14 FGs, 1/5 3Ps, 6/6 FTs), 6 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls; Nevin Phares 8 points (3/6 FGs, 2/3 3Ps), 4 rebs, 2 asts; Bradyn Barth 8 points (4/6 FGs), 3 rebs; Zach Beers 6 points (3/5 FGs), 4 rebs; Ayden Zavala 4 points (2/3 FGs); Adam Nelson 3 points (1/4 3Ps); Derek Slone 2 points (2/2 FTs), 5 rebs

 

Columbia City: Andrew Hedrick 20 points (5/10 FGs, 10/12 FTs), 5 rebs; Mason Baker 11 points (4/8 FGs, 2/3 3Ps, 3/5 FTs), 3 rebs, 3 asts, 4 stls; Elias Spelman 9 points (3/7 FGs, 3/4 FTs), 4 rebs; Alex Hedrick 5 points (2/5 FGs, 1/2 FTs), 2 rebs, 2 stls; Seth Mills 5 points (5/6 FTs), 2 rebs; Rhet Wilson 2 points (2/2 FTs), 3 rebs; Brady Hartman 1 point (1/2 FTs)