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High-flying Cardinals grounds Delta in high scoring upset
MARBLE HILL — The Woodland boys basketball team finished last year with a 6-18 record. The Cardinals have started this season 3-0 and are now in the championship game of their tournament after beating Delta 113-87 on Thursday in the championship semifinal.
Woodland coach Paul Lynch said Thursday’s win was the best offensive performance he’s seen from his team.
“Oh, by far,” Lynch said. “We have a different style this year than what we did last year, my first year, and the kids are buying in. They’re working hard. We played a really good Delta team that really pushes the tempo and they like to score and you got to match them. I thought our team depth stepped up tonight and did a good job.”
The two players that led Woodland in scoring weren’t regulars on the 2019-20 team.
Jarid Frymire, who led the Cardinals with 25 points, is a sophomore who saw some varsity minutes last year, while on top of that, he is coming off of a broken leg.
“He’s not even at full strength,” Lynch said. “Jarid is a hard worker. He loves the game. He plays as much as he can. He really improved his game over the summer, gotten a little taller, grew a little bit and he plays with a lot of confidence.”
Dominic Meek, who scored 20 points, is a senior, who is playing basketball for the first time.
“He’s been a really good surprise for us,” Lynch said. “He’s averaged 20-plus per game the last three games for us, and he’s been a really big addition to our team.”
The Cardinals jumped out to a 15-7 lead on a 9-3 run early in the first quarter by converting turnovers into layups.
Thanks to two 3-point baskets by Carter Scherer, the Bobcats battled back to cut the deficit to 26-20 at the end of the first quarter. The Cardinals attacked the paint for their points while the Bobcats shot from the top of the key to catch up.
“We try to possess the ball and we try to attack when it’s available,” Lynch said. “I thought our kids did a really good job tonight of seeing openings and attack those openings and get to the basket. We drew some fouls and that was key for us during the game.”
Back-to-back 3-point baskets by Jeremiah Evans extended Woodland’s lead to 38-27 in the second quarter.
Delta forward Hunter Ourth made three of his five 3-pointers in the second quarter to keep the Bobcats within six points at 45-39.
It wasn’t enough, though, as the Cardinals went on a 14-3 run on their way to a 61-50 lead at halftime.
It was no-contest in the second half, as Woodland ended the third quarter on a 19-5 run to lead 90-66.
The Cardinals scored their 100th point with 6:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Cecil Abernathy scored 13 points, while Deven Moyers and Frymire’s older brother, Jamon, each scored 12 points.
Evans totaled 11 the Cardinals got 10 from Lane VanGennip.
“We preach unselfishness and team ball,” Lynch said. “We don’t care who gets it done as long as we come out on top.”
Evan Bartels scored 24 points with six 3-pointers to lead the Bobcats, followed by 23 from Dale Lincoln, 15 from Ourth, and 14 by Colby Crader.
Woodland enters the championship game for the first time since 2016 when the Cardinals defeated the Scott City Rams 66-52. They play Leopold today at 8 p.m.
“It would mean the world for our players, for our community, for our school,” Lynch said.