WILLARD — The rematch is set.
Colonel Crawford overcame a first-quarter deficit and got big performances from its two big men as the Eagles disposed of pesky Norwalk St. Paul 64-51 in a boys Division IV district semifinal game.
That sets up a second meeting this season with Lucas, which defeated Monroeville 49-37 to advance and play Colonel Crawford at 6 p.m. on Friday for the Division IV district championship back at Willard High School.
“We tried to get Jacob (Maddy) involved early. At halftime I told him you’ve got to be more aggressive. You’ve got a 5-11 guy on you and you’re 6-5. Go finish,” head coach David Sheldon said.
The coaching advice worked.
Maddy finished with 23 points and 8 rebounds, with 16 of those points coming in the second half. He added 4 blocks and 3 assists.
Senior teammate Braxton Baker again hit for 28 (the same number he had in the sectional final) and added 10 rebounds.
Crawford trailed 11-10 after one quarter and St. Paul kept it close until late in the game. Korey Frazee led the Flyers with 12 points, Evan Wangler and Ian Deeter each scored 9 and Brock Tice netted 8.
“I thought when they doubled him, Jake did a good job. He leads our team in assists. He finds the open guy; our guys were very efficient offensively. We waited to get the open shot we wanted. That’s a credit to everyone in there. In the second half Jacob showed why he’s an all-District 6 player, because you got to go be the man,” Sheldon said.
The Eagles saw their lead cut to 27-25 at halftime as Deeter drove for a basket, giving him all 9 of his points in the first half.
“At this level, it’s going to be physical. We told them all week you’ve got to play through that and defensively we were much better, a better job of guarding the paint in the second half. In the first half we allowed them to get to the paint too easy.”
Crawford made it tough in the paint to be sure. Maddy had 5 blocks, Baker 2 and Derek Horsley 1.
Colonel Crawford is 17-7 while St. Paul bows out at 11-14.
Flyers head coach Steve Minor said his team put a fight.
“I thought until the last few minutes and things fell apart for us. You get called for a technical. It’s a hard foul. I got clarification on that. It was not a dirty play, but it was excessive contact.”
Minor’s team is comprised mainly of sophomores and juniors.
“We told our guys you gotta be tougher. We have a good group of sophomores, but our seniors stayed around to help too. We were able to stay with them and within striking distance. They’re the number one seed and not by accident,” Minor said.
St. Paul kept clawing its way back into the game, narrowing the margin to 49-44 midway through the fourth period.
But Maddy got inside for a basket and a technical foul on a St. Paul player was followed by a Baker free throw and Colonel Crawford forged ahead, 53-44.
“I thought we had good chance against them, I really did,” Minor said. “What was working for them, sometimes kids’ instincts work, we went away from it some.
Stopping Maddy and Baker was a tough task for St. Paul.
“Baker’s a heck of a player. We had a guy guarding him like crazy. He’s a great player who plays for a great coach.”
A late slam by Maddy punctuated his stellar performance.
“I’m just happy for our guys, another district championship. In the last 12 years, 10 times we got to district finals. This group has grown up knowing what it’s like to be putting on the Colonel Crawford jersey,” Sheldon said.
“With just one starter back (Baker) from last year, now we’re back to where we want to be. Our bigs stepped up and our other player got them the ball where they could score. Trevor Vogt hits a big three to separate us (34-27 in the third quarter).
“That’s why I love the game of basketball. It’s a team sport. Every year, for 17 years, we play differently due to personnel. Those three did a great job. Derek facilitates and is a coach on the floor.”
Keeping McCall in check was a factor, Sheldon said. He had 7 and 5 boards.
“He’s played really well the last couple games in their tournament run. I thought we were very efficient with that.”
The strength of schedule contributes to the team’s readiness in the post-season.
“If you look at the RPI we have the 15th toughest schedule in Division IV out of 200 schools. Four league champions we played this year and five Division II.
“Those are the games as you are going through adversity, that prepare you for a district tournament. You saw that tonight, it was ups and downs and you’ve got to keep an even keel and I thought our guys did that,” Sheldon said.
This team has grown, learning from last year’s deep tournament run that ended in the regional finals.
“Last year these guys were out on the scout team, being Harvest Prep, Western Reserve, Elmwood. Now they know the expectations and have been through the routine and it makes a huge difference,” Sheldon said.
“They may not all have played, but they’ve been in the tournament atmosphere. The tradition. We’re blessed to have it.”
Sheldon got career win No. 300 as the Eagles went into the Cub Cave and emerged with a 60-57 non-league victory on Jan. 14.
Box score
Norwalk St. Paul 11 14 14 12 — 51
Colonel Crawford 10 17 16 21 — 64
St. Paul (11-14): Shots 20-43; 3-pt. shots 6-13 (Korey Frazee 2, Ian Deeter, Nolan McCall, Michael Kirk, Evan Wangler); Free throws 5-7; Rebounds 16 (Nolan McCall 5, Evan Wangler 5); Turnovers 8. Scoring: Michael 1 3 6, Ian Deeter 4 0 9, Korey Frazee 5 0 12, Brock Tice 3 2 8, Nolan McCall 3 0 7, Evan Wangler 4 0 9.
Colonel Crawford (17-7): Shots 23-48; 3-pt. shots 5-11 (Braxton Baker 4, Trevor Vogt); Free throws 13-24; Rebounds 25 (Braxton Baker 10, Jacob Maddy 8); Turnovers 6. Scoring: Trevor Vogt 1 1 4, Ethan Holt 2 1 5, Derek Horsley 1 2 4, Braxton Baker 9 6 28, Jacob Maddy 10 3 23.