03-12-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA - Coach Shane Witzel's Woodlawn Cardinals picked up a trophy on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't the one that they were searching for this weekend.

After dropping a heartbreaker on Friday afternoon to Chicago Leo, the Cardinals lost another close contest in the third place game, 57-51 in overtime, to settle for a fourth-place finish in the IHSA state finals.

Liberty took to the offensive glass, similar to what Leo did to the Cardinals on Friday, grabbing 20-offensive rebounds and producing second chances in the win.

Junior guard Cole Wellman scored 23-points and hit 11-of-16 free throws as the Eagles snagged the third place trophy.

They out-rebounded the Cardinals overall, 44-31, and used a 10-2 run in the overtime after Woodlawn had taken a brief early lead in the extra session.

Reed Wolfmeyer, a 6-foot-1 senior, added 12-points for the Eagles who finished their season at 30-5.

Woodlawn saw their mark slip to 29-5 as they took home the fourth-place honors in 1A.
“What a game, I think that anytime a ballgame goes into overtime it makes for exciting ending for the fans. It had a little bit of everything. I thought our guys did a nice job of keeping their composure though out the course of the game,' said Liberty head coach Greg Altmax. “They battled until the very end. That's all I can ask of them. After losing yesterday coming back and getting a win today.”

Ross Owens, the 6-foot-5 senior point guard, closed his brilliant prep career with 10-points and five-rebounds.

Garrett Minks and Blake Wollerman each finished with nine-points for Woodlawn with Brett Harris finishing with seven.

No other Cards players hit double-figures in the low scoring contest that was close throughout.

The mistake prone Cardinals committed 19-turnovers but rallied after a really bad first quarter.

Normally a good defensive rebounding team, the Cardinals gave up 35-offensive rebounds in their semifinal and third place game losses.

And offensively the shots just wouldn't fall for Woodlawn, hitting just 17-of-44 (38.6 percent) from the floor, 4-of-15 from the 3-point line.

“They jumped out and got on us early. It's a credit to them, their kids fought awfully hard today,” said Coach Witzel. “Both teams went at each other and that is so much fun to watch.”

Liberty wasn't much better from the field as neither team got the ball in the basket consistently.

The Eagles finished 16-of-55 (29.1 percent) and 4-and-15 from the arc.

But they were 21-of-29 overall from the free throw line, which in the end (overtime) proved to be the difference.

The Cards had a nightmarish beginning, having more turnovers (10) than they had points (9) including a pair of 10-second violations.

“I’m pretty sure we weren't the only ones to struggle with that (Liberty's Press). I will take some of that because I didn't have us ready. But our guys adjusted well and after the first quarter we did a much better job with it,” said Coach Witzel. “Both teams went at each other and it was fun to watch.”

However the Eagles didn't take advantage, as they missed nine shots of their own and committed six turnovers in a 12-9 finish of the frame.

Woodlawn came together with a better second quarter, and took a four-point lead at the half.

A 10-2 run with 3-point baskets from Owens and 6-foot-2 junior reserve Jordan Hoppa.

Hoppa later nailed another outside shot and a 5-of-6 free throws in the stanza gave Woodlawn a 26-22 halftime spread.

The third quarter was the real chance for the Cardinals to take control, as they reached their largest lead.

With Owens hitting a pair of free throws and following up with another 3-point bomb starting a run and a bucket by Garrett Minks gave the Cardinals a 35-29 lead with 2:05 left.

Liberty battled right back with a run by Wellman and Wolfmeyer.

Wellman scored on drive to the basket and later a pair of free throws.

The scores were sandwiched around a 3-pointer from Wolfmeyer while being fouled by Minks.

Although he missed the free throw, the two free throws by Wellman gave the Eagles a 36-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth frame produce three tie scores including the one at the end of regulation.

Liberty hit just 3-of-6 foul shots in the quarter and Woodlawn hit three field goals with the last one by Wollerman on a drive in the lane that evened things at 41-all with 2:40 left.

Liberty found themselves with the ball with just over a minute to go in regulation and worked for a final shot.

After taking two timeouts they finally got the ball to Wolfmeyer for a drive in the lane that missed as the horn sounded sending the teams to the overtime.

Harris opened the OT scoring with a drive that produced a three-point play while being fouled by Liberty's Tayton Roe.

After the made free throw, Woodlawn led 44-41.

Then Liberty took control and took home the better hardware.

A score by senior Daniel Mast on an assist from Wolfmeyer started the run which featured 3-of-4 free throws after a foul on Austin Ballard that turned into a technical foul on the Ballard as well.

Wellman proceeded to make 3-of-4 free throws in the opportunity and then Roe rammed home a 3-pointer after Liberty inbounded the ball moments after the technical.

Wolfmeyer added two more free throws to close the run making it 51-46

This swing in momentum closed the book on the drama as the Eagles closed out the win with six-consecutive made free throws.

“They have great character and that is a tribute to Woodlawn. I thought that they had a more crushing loss yesterday than we did. What they did today (coming back) after losing on a last second shot shows what they are made of." said Coach Altmax.

The Woodlawn Cardinals took home their fourth trophy from the state finals since 2009, getting the fourth-place trophy to go with first, second and third place awards from 2012, 2009 and 2011 respectively.

“My thoughts are so far from basketball it's hard to express how special they are. It goes beyond the court. We're disappointed with the outcome for sure, but we fought our hearts out the last two days. We felt like we played like champions, we have nothing to be ashamed about. We're going home with the fourth-place trophy but these guys are champions to me,” said Coach Shane Witzel. “It is such a joy to coach these kids. We have been fortunate to have been here (state finals) four times and so we do not take this for granted. This is a special group of guys.”