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North Tech Gets Nike Classic 3-Peat, Hazelwood Central Falls Short
By Jim Wieners
Nearly three weeks ago in St. Peters (Dec. 20, 2014) North Technical Boys Basketball was able to win the Lutheran St. Charles County Nike Cougar Classic for the third year in a row.
About 10 days later (Dec. 30, 2014) in Kirkwood Hazelwood Central lost to Webster Groves by two points in a tournament championship game on the Meramec campus of St. Louis Community College.
After two straight years of three-point victories over host Lutheran St. Charles in the Cougar Classic Championship games, including overtime in 2013, North Tech won the championship game this year over St. Louis Priory, 60-49 in overtime. And after 36 years, in which Hazelwood Central won the last two, the Meramec Holiday Festival Tournament was renamed the Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Tournament benefiting the American Cancer Society, which was won by Webster Groves, 41-39.
North Tech Dominates Overtime Over Priory
After trailing most of the Cougar Classic Championship game against Priory North Tech took over with a 22-11 fourth quarter after trailing 36-25 through three. But after a Jack Kurz basket at the buzzer tied the game for Priory, North Tech won the game in overtime as the Golden Eagles outscored the Rebels, 13-2. North Tech gained momentum to win the game after 10 seconds into the fourth quarter when Cole Esparrago fouled out.
Mike Henderson-Burt, an All-Tournament team selection, scored 12 of the team high 21 points in the second half and six more in overtime. Henderson-Burt put North Tech ahead on one of his four three-pointers with a half-minute left in the fourth quarter and sealed the win with another three with 1:32 left in overtime.
“It’s our determination,” said North Tech head coach Nathaniel Griffin. “We don’t give up, we don’t quit.” Griffin also said that the Golden Eagles had momentum despite giving up the tying score at the buzzer to force overtime.
Tournament Most Valuable Player Tyree White scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and all tournament team selection Jontae Huntspon scored 10. North Tech rolled to the tournament championship with routs over Barat Academy, 78-43, and Lift For Life Academy Charter, 59-23.
Hawks Lose Late To Webster
Webster Groves avenged last year’s win by Hazelwood Central at Meramec with a Leland Bradford floater with five seconds left in the fourth quarter in front of a jam packed crowd in the SLCC-Meramec Gym to break a 39-39 tie. Hazelwood Central led most of the first half and the Hawks were up 21-15 at halftime. Central was unable to hold on to the lead in the second half, which was by nine (24-15) early, and Webster took over the lead late in the third and carried a 33-30 lead into the forth, which had four lead changes and two ties.
Both teams each hit only one shot from three-point range and both teams hit 50 percent of their free throws. “The game came down to one possession,” said Hazelwood Central head coach Josh Martin. They made the shot (with five seconds left) and we did not (as time expired and the final buzzer rang).”
Dominique Dobbs (who had a game-high 18 points) and Xavier Sneed were the Hazelwood Central players that were named to the All-Tournament team. In route to the Coaches vs. Cancer championship game Hazelwood Central defeated Marquette (Rockwood School District), 57-44, DeSmet Jesuit, 60-49, and Missouri top ranked Springfield-Kickapoo, 62-60 in overtime.
The Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Tournament was “a great tournament and a great event for a great cause,” Martin said. “It was fun.”
