Somerset 56 Washington County 54 (All-A First Round)

[mcpapa]

Final per the Scoreboard.

[addout]

Closer than I expected.

[B-Ball-fan]

O.M.G. 

Holy Crap Y’all this game had all the aggressive grit, toughness, and drama that you could ever want in a game. 

The Washington County Commanders from Region 5 hosted The Somerset Briar Jumpers from Region 12 in the first round of the All ‘A’ Class State Tournament, and this game was what tournament play is all about, and then some. 

These guys really went at each other, and while I don’t usually rave about it, I’d have to say that the officiating in this game was sensational. They had their hands full with a tough match that on multiple occasions got chippy, but they let these guys play, and from my estimation made the right call most of the time in situations that I personally wouldn’t want to be the one making the call. Along with that last comment, this game had more charges in it that I think that I ever saw, and bodies flying everywhere, hitting the floor, and taking hard hits. 

Sr. point guard Josh Burkhead for the Commanders was their floor general, and just about as cool a cat as you’d want to lead your team. HIs swagger and passion were legit as he directed his team in unwavering fashion, and finishing the night with 26 points. 

Junior forward Gavin Stevens for the Briar Jumpers played like a man tonight with an impressively undying strength. He netted plenty himself including the last 2 from the line with 2.5 remaining on the clock to put the game on ice. 

This game changed hands throughout with Somerset starting the game off with a modest lead, but the Commanders didn’t panic, and the 1 period ended Somerset up by 1 14-13, 

In the 2nd quarter the Commanders got the lead, and managed to stretch it a bit taking a 30-24 lead into halftime. 

Both teams played an even 3rd quarter with it ending Washington County on top 41-35

The Commanders at one point held a lead by as much as 8 points, but the body language of the Briar Jumpers said loudly that they weren’t going to roll over, and the first tie of the game came at 48-48, and it was nip and tuck from there on out. 

With the game tied at 53, Steven went to the line for 2 and calmly netted them both leaving 2.5 on the clock. The out of bounds pass for the Commanders got flubbed, and there was a flop by Burkhead that the officials didn’t buy, and it was game over. It truly was a weird ending to an intense game, but the officials signaled the end of the game and walked off the court. 

I will provide the link to the game for anyone interested in watching, because while you already know the results I kid you not that this was one helluva game.