Wooddale’s late 4th quarter surge pushes the Cardinals past Mitchell, 79-67
Each time Wooddale tried to build a huge lead, Mitchell responded with a scoring spurt, and it wasn’t until the final 4:13 of the fourth quarter when the Cardinals were able to finally separate themselves from the pesky Tigers. Junior…
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Continue ReadingEach time Wooddale tried to build a huge lead, Mitchell responded with a scoring spurt, and it wasn’t until the final 4:13 of the fourth quarter when the Cardinals were able to finally separate themselves from the pesky Tigers.
Junior guard Johnathan Duncan scored eight points in the final 4:13 and Chandler Lawson converted on a 3-point play to help Wooddale (20-3) roll past Mitchell, 79-67, for its fourth straight win since losing to First Assembly Christian on Jan. 3.
Juwon Harris knocked down a 3 right in front of the Tigers’ bench in the early minutes of the fourth quarter to bring his team within two (63-61). Then point guard Mike Rice Jr. and Lawson traded baskets as both teams were still separated by a one possession score.
Johnathan Lawson made 1 of 2 free throws before Duncan made both of his free throw attempts to start the closing 13-4 run. After Duncan’s free throws, Mitchell got a defensive stop. Rice Jr. came up with the loose ball and threw a touchdown pass to Jamarious Horton, who was met at the rim by Chandler. Horton went down hard after making contact with the Oregon commit and laid motionless on the floor for at least three minutes before getting up on his own will.
Horton headed to the bench for a short stint before coming back into the game to try and help his team get a signature road win.
The Tigers (13-5) were called for a lane violation while guard Mikell Rice, who made 1 of 2, was at the foul line. After that, Duncan found shooting guard Tekeavion Rounds for the uncontested layup, then Duncan knocked down his second 3 of the game in the corner to put the Cardinals up 73-66. Duncan added one more 3 before Chandler’s 3-point play sealed the win.
Chandler finished with 31 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Duncan added 16 points, two assists, and three rebounds.
With everyone outside of Chandler and Johnathan Lawson contributing offensively, Wooddale has become a tough team to scout for, because anyone in the starting five can score in double figures.
“I was glad Johnathan Duncan stepped up, Kevin (Brown) stepped up, and Coland Carr (five rebounds) stepped up for us earlier to hold it all together,” Wooddale head coach Keelon Lawson said.
Rice Jr. helped Mitchell grab the lead on two occasions in the second half. Late in the third quarter, Rice Jr. made two foul shots to put the Tigers up 53-52, then converted on a 3-pointer to give Mitchell the 56-55 lead, but the Tigers lacked the size in the post and couldn’t keep the Cardinals off the glass.
Chandler and Johnathan Lawson started a 6-0 run for Wooddale that went into the final period to give the Cardinals a 61-56 lead. Johnathan started the run by making the first of his two free throw attempts, then Chandler knocked down a 3 as the third quarter came to an end.
Johnathan started the final quarter by finding Chandler cutting to the basket from the baseline for the alley-oop dunk to ignite the crowd. Johnathan finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, and three blocks.
Rice Jr. led Mitchell with 22 points. Horton and Rice each finished with 13.
3 takeaways
- Mitchell was a nice district win for Wooddale. Coach Lawson felt the close game was needed to see where his team is at as the district tournament approaches. Lawson called it a “playoff game.” Wooddale and the Tigers will meet again on Feb. 5.
- Junior point guard Kevin Brown makes the Cardinals’ offense go. He’s able to break double teams, and he’s fast. The 5-5 guard finished with 13 points, four assists, and two steals.
- The Tigers had enough wide open looks from the perimeter to take the lead for good, but the shots weren’t falling when Mitchell needed them to get a signature district road win.