Eli Wright takes over the second half after picking up 2 fouls in the first half. Apollo moves on to the regional for the first time in 3 years. Congrats Panthers on a good season as well.

Apollo did everything that i said they could not do and still found a way to win. I thought they came out with great energy and played well early but the game changed a bit when Eli Wright picked up his 2nd foul about 4 minutes into the game. DC took control at that point, but credit Trace Young for coming off the bench and keeping Apollo close. Even after Eli Wright returned to the game, DC dominated early in the 3rd. I thought the Panthers came out of their game plan a little and rushed some shots late in the quarter and thats when things got out of hand for them. They could not stop Eli Wright in transition. Apollo missed a TON of foul shots down the stretch that allowed DC back in the game. Michael Gilmer and Marshall Griffith knocked down some big time shots late. DC had the ball down 1 with 22 seconds left but couldnt get a shot to fall. Wright was able to secure the game at the line and that was the ballgame. I thought Ben Moss did a GREAT job on Marshall all night long. Griffith is not an easy player to hold in check, but Moss did just that for most of the game. On the DC side, i thought Zach Burton played a real solid game and really created a mis match vs Coomes that made Apollo adjust. The Eagles will return to the regional tournament after a 2 year absence. As an Eagle fan, its nice to avenge last years heartbreaker.

The biggest factor for Apollo was Eli attacking the basket. When Eli sets outside and shoots he helps the opposing teams. He's a slasher who can shoot at times but needs to attack more often than not. Moss did a good job on griffin but Apollo holding Stewart Currie to 4 points was the biggest defensive effort of the game. And let's not forget Trace Young. He scores 10 points with two monster dunks while blocking and altering shots on defense. Several times DC's Marshall Griffin would get to the rack only to be denied by Young. He's given Apollo a dimension that they wouldn't have had if he didn't transfer in.

 

Although most feel like OHS is the runaway favorite in the 3rd, Apollo has the capability to upset OHS. While Fridays game is meaningless, the real battle will happen in regionals. I didn't want to see Apollo win cause I know they match up with OHS in spots. And Eli wright is capable of going for 30 any time he steps in the floor. Having said that, Apollo has to be careful against a letdown in the regional tournament. As talented as Apollo is, I feel like they're capable of losing to a team like Muhlenburg, Meade, or breck. No matter what happens Friday, I feel pretty confident OHS will be in the regional final. Should be a fun ride!

I saw Marshall get to the rim on Moss maybe twice. Griffin came in averaging 21 ppg and was held to 10 points......5 of which came in the last 2 minutes with Moss having 4 fouls. It was one of the best defensive performances I've seen this year.

 

As for holding Currie in check, credit most of that to Eli Wright. Wright didn't match up with Currie in their last meeting and Stewart went off. I thought Nick Wells came in while Eli had foul trouble and defended him pretty well too. Apollo held up well vs DC one on one.