Pressure-cooker game ousts Tigers

Published 11:23 am Tuesday, February 24, 2015

JOHN DAY – Pressure was intense from the get-go for the Dayville/Monument Tiger boys as they faced Adrian last Saturday in Game 5 of the 1A High Desert District Tournament.

It was a team the Tigers had beaten three times in the regular season, but this time Adrian squeaked by for a 39-34 victory.

The game was critical for the Tigers because a win promised a ticket to the state playoffs, making it an especially tough loss.

The Tigers lost Game 3 to Crane, 46-53, the previous day.

Against Adrian, the Tigers led 8-4 early in the first quarter. Jordan Bowlus had a steal and score of 2, Tanner Moodenbaugh had another bucket, and Dakota Emerson scored twice in the quarter.

Hayden Schafer and Sage Flower also contributed with rebounds.

Adrian’s Reagan Shira landed a 3-pointer, but the Antelopes still trailed 7-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Dayville/Monument gained 5 points in the second quarter with a bucket from Flower and a 3-pointer from Tanner Walczyk, but Adrian outshot the Tigers to take the lead, 20-13 at the half.

The Tigers rallied in the third quarter, when Bowlus hit a 3-pointer. Moodenbaugh and Flower also stepped up with rebounds and scoring.

That helped the team close the gap slightly, ending the quarter trailing, 22-27.

Dayville/Monument’s momentum continued in the fourth, but was disrupted briefly when Emerson fell after leaping to grab an Adrian pass.

The score was 26-30, the Tigers trailing.

Adrian gained a point at the free-throw line and a 2-pointer, but Walczyk and Schafer fired back, each landing a 3-pointer, and the score was 35-32 for the Antelopes.

With the seconds ticking down, Flower landed another 2-pointer and the Tigers were close at 34-36. However, Adrian held onto the ball, scored at the free-throw line and another 2 near the buzzer.

Tiger head coach Jeff Schafer had expected tough competition at the tournament, and he praised his team for being unselfish and keeping positive attitudes.

The High Desert League All League selections include: sophomore Hayden Schafer, first team; and junior Tanner Moodenbaugh, second team.