Instant Classic: Class 2 Championship (Greenwood vs Oran)
The Class 2 Championship Game was a clash of the titans. Led by senior star Jacob Shoemaker, Oran (30-1) came in looking for their second title in three years after knocking off the defending champions Friday. Upstart Greenwood (28-3) steamrolled…
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Continue ReadingThe Class 2 Championship Game was a clash of the titans. Led by senior star Jacob Shoemaker, Oran (30-1) came in looking for their second title in three years after knocking off the defending champions Friday. Upstart Greenwood (28-3) steamrolled into the finals on the back of their sensational sophomore Aminu Mohammed. The highly anticipated match-up delivered everything a hoops fanatic could ask for in terms of passion, intensity, big-time individual performances, and a back and forth contest that kept everyone in JQH Arena on the edge of their seats from tip to final buzzer.
The Oran Eagles came flying out of the gates, consistently winning loose ball battles and beating Greenwood down the floor for transition scores. 6’0 Jr Tyson Goodale set the tone for Oran with the first 6 points, and the Eagles made it known right away that they meant business. Shoemaker connected on a pair of big first half threes and pretty much everything seemed to be going Oran’s way. Except, Greenwood’s 5-star sophomore Aminu Mohammed was feeling it. He kept the Blue Jays within striking distance by dropping in 13 first half points, snatching boards, and swatting a number of Oran shots away from the rim. At the break, Oran held a 29-23 lead.
The second half will go down as one of the most exciting finishes in recent memory. Greenwood came out on fire. Mohammed was a man on a mission, slicing and dicing his way through the Eagles defense and converting time and time again on incredible, acrobatic finishes. His sidekick, 5’11 Fr Tommy Pinegar stepped up huge in the second half. He buried three deep three pointers as the Blue Jays clawed their way back trailing just 43-41 headed into the 4th quarter. Oran was un-phased. Goodale and Shoemaker continued to deliver with answer after answer until Greenwood finally broke through on a step back three from Mohammed with just under 6 minutes remaining that put the Blue Jays up 46-45, giving them their first lead since early in the game. After some back and forth including a huge Shoemaker three-pointer, Oran led 52-50 until Greenwood’s 5’8 So Grant Harper buried a go-ahead triple with 46 seconds remaining.
It was a wild final 10 seconds. With Greenwood leading 55-54, the Blue Jays missed the front end of a 1 and 1 giving Oran a chance for the win. However, Aminu Mohammed poked the ball away off an Oran player forcing a huge turnover with 3.6 seconds left. After an ensuing foul on the inbounds, Mohammed went to the line with a chance to ice the game. He, too, missed the front end giving Oran a final shot but Shoemaker’s last second heave fell short giving the Greenwood Blue Jays their first title in 77 years.
MVP: 6’4 So Aminu Mohammed – Greenwood
As insane as this sounds, Aminu was held well below his season averages. He finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds. He will go down as one of the most decorated players the state has seen in a long time. He showed off every weapon in his arsenal in the championship win. Early on he was working in the paint, showing polished footwork and athleticism around the bucket. When he got out in transition, it was an automatic bucket usually delivered via an advanced euro-step finish. He knocked down several contested jumpers including a pair of threes. He dominated the glass as usual and had several impressive dimes and emphatic blocked shots. When it mattered the most, he came up with a huge defensive play forcing a late turnover. He is humble, hungry, and will have the opportunity to shine on this stage a couple more times.
Senior Standout: 5’11 Sr Jacob Shoemaker – Oran
Jacob Shoemaker wrapped up a tremendous senior season and career finishing just short of a second state championship. He buried four three pointers for the Eagles, all of which came in big time moments. He was poised under pressure, and arguably could have gone to the line with a chance to win the game after some contact on his last second shot attempt. Jacob will go down as one of the most decorated players to ever come out of Oran.
Mr. Clutch: 5’11 Fr Tommy Pinegar – Greenwood
The frosh guard played with the poise and determination of an upperclassmen for Greenwood on the biggest of stages. If Mohammed was Batman, Tommy was certainly Robin yesterday. He had a HUGE third quarter for the Blue Jays. His consecutive trifecta of deep three pointers were key to the Greenwood rally and he stepped up to the charity stripe and buried two clutch free throws with under a minute remaining to give his team a 3 point cushion. He finished with 15 points. Aminu will be a household name for years to come, but keep a close eye on Pinegar who buried 100 three-pointers for the Blue Jays as a freshman.
Unsung Hero: 6’0 Jr Tyson Goodale – Oran
Tyson nearly willed his team to a state title, playing a tremendous game. He finished with 17 big points for the Eagles. He scored the first 6 for Oran, out-hustling Greenwood down the floor in transition and slipping behind the defense for lay-ins. When Greenwood was making their third quarter run, Tyson answered multiple times with a tough baseline jumper and a huge corner 3. Also, in the closing minute he came up with a big offensive rebound and put-back that brought Oran back within a single point. Kudos on the championship effort from Goodale.
The Other Guy: 5’8 So Grant Harper – Greenwood
When you have a 5-star prospect and a freshman who buried 100 three-pointers, other key parts to the roster can sometimes be overlooked. Grant Harper, WE SEE YOU! The sophomore point guard was instrumental in the championship win. He is an impressive ballhandler that sliced and diced his way through an aggressive Oran defense and dropped off some big time dimes. He also stepped up and drilled a go ahead three-pointer late in the 4th quarter. Grant finished the season with well over 200 assists and is another reason why Greenwood will be a favorite to make it back to the Show-Me-Showdown for the next couple years.