42nd article at the Independent

CLASS A BOYS BASKETBALL: Sacred Heart gets past RTR in consolation championship

Chris Drummond

cdrummond@marshallindependent.com

T. PAUL — After a bounce-back win against No. 4 Nevis on Thursday, the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton boys basketball team looked to close out its season on a strong note against Sacred Heart in the Class A consolation championship on Saturday. RTR was able to take a lead into halftime, but a second-half comeback by the Eagles gave them a 63-54 victory on the campus of Concordia-St. Paul. With the loss, RTR’s season comes to an end with a record of 24-9.

The Knights got out to an amazing start leading the entire first half by holding the Eagles to one shot-possessions and forcing multiple turnovers. RTR was able to take a 30-21 lead going into halftime, shooting 52.2% (12-of-23) from the field in the first half while limiting Sacred Heart to just 39.1% (9-of-23) shooting in the first half.

But that quickly changed in the second half, as the Eagles came out on a 19-8 run erasing the Knights lead before RTR took a 45-44 lead with 6:17 left on a 3-point play by Aiden Wichmann. But Sacred Heart’s Josiah Sundby answered with a 3-pointer to put the Eagles in front and they never gave up the lead, going up by as many as 11 en route to the 63-54 final.

The Knights mustered only 24 points in the second half, while surrendering 42. Darrick Baartman for the Knights led the team in scoring with 14 points. RTR head coach Daren Gravley reflected on the team’s performance.

“I thought in the first half we controlled the pace of the game,” Gravley said. “In the second half, they started to make shots and we have a couple of stretches where we couldn’t put the ball in the basket.”

Saturday’s game was also the final one for RTR’s three seniors in Dylan Anderson, Logan Lamote and Baartman. All three elaborated on what it’s meant to be in this program.

“It’s pretty sad but I know they’ll be in good hands with coach,” Anderson said.

“It’s an amazing feeling being a RTR Knight and I’m sad it’s coming to an end,” Lamote said.

“It’s very special, it’s a brotherhood,” Baartman said. “We fought through adversity and we were doubted. This team is special and I’ll never forget this team for the rest of my life.”

Coach Gravley also advocated on the seniors.

“All three of them have been great leaders on our program for RTR basketball,” Gravley said. “All three of those young men are great teammates and they’re gonna be missed.”

Eagles guard Kobe Tomkinson had a game-high 18 points, along with teammate Landen Denney notching a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.

Sacred Heart 63, RTR 54

RTR 30 24 – 54

Sacred Heart 21 42 – 63

Scoring: RTR (Baartman 5-10, 2-2 14; A. Wichmann 5-17, 1-1 12; Werkman 4-6, 0-0 8; Anderson 3-4, 0-0 6; C. Wichmann 1-5, 1-2 4; Lamote 2-4, 0-0 4; Haroldson 0-2, 2-2 2; Hansen 1-1, 0-0 2; Gravley 1-1, 0-0 2).

Rebounds: RTR 20 (A. Wichmann 5; Baartman, Werkman 3; Christianson, C. Wichmann 2; Anderson, Lamote, Hansen, Haroldson 1).

Assists: RTR 12 (A. Wichmann 5; Haroldson 2; Drake, Lamote, Anderson, Werkman, C. Wichmann 1).

Steals: RTR 6 (A. Wichmann, C. Wichmann, Haroldson, Werkman, Christianson, Baartman 1).