Withrow 58 Elder 57 OT  

Cintas was packed with loud fans from both sides for this match up of crosstown schools battling for a place in the 'Elite Eight' of the D1 high school playoffs. We even saw an ESPN reporter, D2 and D3 scouts plus Bob Huggins in the house for what would prove to be a match up of "bigs" in Yancy Gates and Kyle Rudolph.  How would the tight end handle the long time prodigy - and vice versa. . .

Withrow started strong using an 11-0 run to a 21-9 lead midway through the second. Although Elder doubled down on Gates each of the first few times he touched the ball, he was still able to hit one shot over the double team and some nice pullup ten footers. Nick Holmes guarded Gates early in what looked to be a box and one. Withrow used their athlecism in man to man and a lot of full court pressing.

At the half, the Tigers led the Panthers 27-21 on strong efforts from Rudolph (12 pts, including six straight and 7 rebs). Eight turnovers led to nine of Withrow's 27 points so we knew Walt McBride would keep the press on in the second half.

The second half proved to be more active by both teams from the start. Holmes had a layup and Gates dunked but then Elder went on a 13-2 run to take the lead 33-31 on Holmes' turnaround jumper and about two minutes left in the third. John Bovard hit two treys in the run. Withrow looks rattled.

Moments later, when Gates picked up his third foul on a dumb play, many thought Elder would continue to extend their lead. Gates responded with a block and an assist to retake the lead 35-33.  Rudolph himself garnered his fourth foul with 2:53 left in regulation. 

With 46 seconds left and down by four, Anthony McBride stepped to the line and sank two FT's and Withrow's Ron Bracey did the same with 35 seconds left to tie it up. A shot by Rudolph at the buzzer rimmed out and we got us some free basketball.

Overtime -  Chris Hisle hit a layup and Rudolph answered with a ten footer. D.J. Frazier hit a push shot and Holmes answered with a nice move around Gates for a lay-in. Gates' ten foot attempt moments later showed he was out of gas and Withrow may have to look elsewhere for points.

Elder had a two point lead on a Holmes reb/putbackwhen Withrow brought the ball upcourt with about 30 second left. They moved the ball well for a while and the ball went into the hands of the senior Frazier at top dead center, behind the three point line. Swish. The 'Row' up one. 

PrepHoopsOnline reporters leaned over to the Elder broadcast position during the ensuing timeout to see if his foot was on the line, but the camera couldn't discern it though the Elder fans leaning over the railing felt differently. There was no questions or protests from the Elder bench however as they focused on a play that would get them a lead in under eight seconds.

But similar to regulation, Rudolph's shot rimmed out and out of bounds. Withrow ball and its over.

Withrow  

Yancy Gates 2008 PF-  He came out on fire in the first half hitting 5-8 shots.  Some of the shots were professional moves.  Elder doubled down on him often. Picked up his second foul late in the second quarter.  In the second half he seemed less focused, scoring only five points in the second half and overtime.  High Major still

Notes:  Was doubled teamed most of the game, hit 10' bank, 17' jumper off the dribble, missed corner 3 (airball), 15' baseline turnaround jumper good (pro move), hit 13' turnaround baseline jumper, missed wing 3, put back good, missed mid range pull up jumper, missed 10' turnaround jumper, put back good, put back fouled hit 1-2 free throws, assist, missed jump hook, missed mid range jumper (airball)

Greg Howard 2007 SG - Not a great game for Howard.  He did hit a huge 3 late and finished with 10 points on 4-6 shooting but didn't seem to be in the flow of the game like he usually is.  D2/NAIA

Notes:  Missed corner 3, turnover (charge), hit 1-2 free throws, missed wing 3, tip good, hit wing 3, hit lay up, hit lay up.

Anthony McBride 2008 PG -  Played a solid game scoring 10 points on 3-8 shooting.  Hit his only trey but needs to improve on his 3-6 free throws.  LM

Notes:  Hit wing 3, turnover, drive hit lay up, missed 2 free throws, drive missed lay up, hit runner, missed runner, missed mid range jumper, turnover, hit 1-2 free throws. 

D.J. Frazier 2007 SF-  The role player for the Tigers hit the shot heard around the state in OT.  His trey gave Withrow a one point lead with eight seconds  to go.  He scored nine points on 4-7 shooting in 16 minutes of action.  D3 level player but will have a great story for his grandkids someday. 

Notes:  Hit lay up, missed mid range jumper, put back good, hit 10' jumper, missed mid range jumper, hit game winner 8.1 seconds left in OT.

Will Bland 2007 C-  Scored only two points in five minutes and struggled to guard Rudolph while in the game.  D3/JUCO/NAIA

Notes:  Hit lay up.

Elder 

Danny Beck 2007 SG-  This lefty played solid overall game but didn't shoot as much as he usually does.  Scored 6 points on 2-5 shooting, 1-2 treys in 33 minitues.  Solid D3 guard.

Notes:  Missed wing 3, hit top of key 3, drive fouled missed 2 free throws, drive hit right hand lay up, hit 1-2 free throws.

John Bovard 2007 SG-  This smallish guard scored 11 points on 3-9 shooting including 3-7 from distance.  Not great at creating his own shot.  D3

Notes:Hit wing 3, turnover, missed wing 3, hit 1-2 free throws, hit wing 3, hit wing 3, missed mid range jumper off dribble, drive fouled hit 2-2 free throws.

Nick Holmes 2007 PF-  Scored only 2 first half points but was huge in the second half scoring 14 points on 5-5 shooting.  This lefty scored on several drives to the basket.  Solid D2 prospect.

Notes:  Hit lay up, turnover, hti lay up, hit lay up, hit layup, hit 2-2 free throws, drive lay up good, hit lay up, turnover, drive lay up good, also had 10 rebounds.

Kyle Rudolph 2008 PF -  Rudolph showed why he is the GCL Player of the Year, scoring a game high 22 points and 14 rebounds.  He's so smart, skilled and strong in the post that its nearly impossible for any high school player to stop him one on one without fouling.  In this game he went 10-14 from the field and 2-2 from the line.  As all coaches and fans know he'll likely be playing on Saturdays in front of 80,000 plus fans in an elite football program, but if he were to play hoops he's likely be a  MM/MM+ player. 

Notes:  10' runner good, 5' turnaround jumper good, turnover, hit lay up, tip, hit 5' bank, missed left hand lay up, hit lay up, hit lay up, hit 15' jumper off dribble, hit jump hook, hit left hand lay up, assist, hit 2-2 free throws, turnover (offensive foul, questionable call), hit 13' jumper.

Paul Raterman 2007 PG - Injured and did not play, and this was a difference maker.

Other notes - 
FT% -  Withrow - 52%  Elder - 64%
FG% -  Withrow - 40%  Elder - 55%
3PT% - Withrow - 28%  Elder - 40%
Turnovers - Withrow - 9  Elder - 14
Fouls - Withrow - 17  Elder - 19
There were 10 ties and eight lead changes
Withrow got 12 pts off their bench. Elder had zero.
Points in the paint - Withrow - 24  Elder - 36