Southern Knocks off Model to advance to Championship game
Madison Southern Eagles entered the opening round of the 44th district looking to defend their first district championship in a quarter century but also looking to avenge an earlier season loss to Model at home. In the game for Model Christopher Otentio, Malik Johnson had 17 each in that game. Southern senior Shawn Short played but was sick in that game as well as Trent Moberly was out with illness. Also tonight for Southern they are without Tunner Buttry one of their top reserves. Model started the season 14-3 but struggled late going 3-7 in their last 10. The Eagles are 2-8 in the last 10.
The opening half saw Southern open up a 12-3 lead but Model behind Will Feese and Adam Lewis-Durham battle back to get Model within 22-16 after a quarter. Second quarter Model goes on their own run 12-6 run to get within three at 31-28. The game got chippy in the second quarter with Southern sending Model to the free throw line 16 times and they hit 12 of them. Model outscores Southern 14-7 from the line in the opening half. Will Feese leads Model with 14 points to lead them in scoring. Casey Bradenburg with 11 as well. For Southern Shawn Short with 16 to lead all scorers, Chad Fugate with 12. Both teams took care of the ball, 5 turnovers for Model only 4 for the Eagles. Difference in opening half was the number of free throw attempts and makes for Model. Southern started the second half with six players with two fouls each.
The second half saw the Eagles go on a 13-5 run to start behind 9 points for Hunter Buchanan. Model goes charges back with 8 points for Adam Lewis-Durham. Southern won the third frame 21-20 to take a three point lead into the fourth. In the final frame Will Feese goes out with 6:09 left and the Patriots couldn’t overcome his absence. Southern pulls away and wins the game going away 83-71. Adam Lewis-Durham with 26 points for Model, hitting 6 three pointers, Feese with 17 points and 12 rebounds, Malik Johnson 18 points, Oteino with only 3 points after having 17 in the first game, Casey Bradenburg 3 point, Emory Cornette 2 points, Luke Keck 2 points. For the Eagles Chad Fugate with a career high 27, Shawn Short with 27, HUnter Buchanan with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Trent Moberly had 9 points on a bad ankle and 9 rebounds, Tre McCreath with 3 points, Landon Stacy 2 points, Nate Eads with 2. Southern will play Madison Central or Berea for the 44th district championship Friday night.
Madison Southern Lady Eagles punch their ticket to region
Opening round of postseason basketball started tonight as Madison Southern and Model girls matched up. The two teams played on January 25th at Southern with the Lady Eagles getting the win 51-25. Madison Southern is 2-0 in district games this season also beating Madison Central in Berea. Model enters the game 1-9 in their last ten but the Lady Eagles not faring much better, 2-8 in the last ten. As we all know, come district time throw the records out of the window.
The first quarter saw Paige Carter knock down the first basket of the half ten seconds into the game, we went over three minutes until either team could find the basket again. Southern opens on 6-0 to start the game. Peyton Erslan had 5 points in the first quarter for Model and they trailed 13-7 after one. Southern opens up a 13 point lead at 22-9 but Model battles back with 9-4 run to trail 26-18 at half. Erslan led Model with 5 points and 4 rebounds. Aleigh Richardson had 6 points along with Paige Carter points.
At halftime Lady Eagle Coach Summer Simmons thought her teams was not playing under control on offense. She thought they were committing too many fouls and needed to be more disciplined. Coach Candance Wells of Model was pleased with her teams opening performance, they were looking to get more three point looks to fall. The second half saw the Lady Eagles go on a 20-0 run to pull ahead 44-18. Samantha Cornelison with 8 points during the run. Model wouldn’t just go away they went on their own 10-0 run in the final 2:30 of the third period. Fourth quarter Southern played with a big lead and outscored Model 15-2 in the 4th to win 59-29 and advance to the 11th region tournament. For Model Peyton Erslan finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Savanna Gullett 8 points, Keaton Hall 5 points, Sophie Austin 4 points and McKenna Tuttle 2 points. For the lady Eagles Cornelison with a game high 14 points and 9 rebounds, Paige Carter 12 points, Aleigh Richardson with 10 points, Macie Daniels 5 points, Anna King 4 points, Zaria Carter 3 points and 9 rebounds along with 5 assists and 4 steals, Madison Howell 3 points, Morgan Flannery 3 points, Sunni Walters 2 points, Emily Rowland 2 points, Reece Estep 1 point. Southern will play either Madison Central or Berea Friday night for the 44th district championship.
Donald Foster
WBONTV.com
Wallingford Broadcasting
