ALBIA — Several times momentum seemed to be hanging by a thread. Every time momentum was on the verge of switching sides it seemed as if one team had all the answers.
That team, on Monday night anyway, was Albia. Before the Blue Demons were able to secure a Class 2A, District 9 quarterfinal-round win they had to maintain momentum. They were tested early and often as their SCC rival, Centerville, would have liked nothing better than to end the Blue Demon’s season.
Centerville grabbed the first lead of the game but then the clutch shooting of Rowen Archer gave Albia their first sustainable lead of the contest.
“When we had to make shots, we made shots,” said Albia head boys basketball coach, Kevin Archer. “That was the biggest thing for us tonight. When we needed to we really were able to make a lot of shots.”
Following the three from Rowen Archer Albia took control of the first eight minutes. Until the final few minutes.
Late in the first quarter Gage Chance from Albia fought his way through the key. Despite being blanketed by three defenders Chance took a shot and made it. Elated at making the shot he may have let the emotions get the best of him. He turned around and flexed all around the court.
Before he even stepped out of the key he was cited with a technical foul for celebrating.
That’s when Centerville was able to close up the game.
In the final few seconds before the end of the first quarter the Big Reds were able to make the free throws and then hit a buzzer-beating three pointer to climb within one point of the Blue Demons going into the second quarter.
“We knew that we were playing good defense throughout the entire game,” Coach Archer said. “That’s what helped us keep our cool throughout most of the game.”
Although challenged at the end of the first quarter, Albia, was able to build up their lead quickly again. For most of the second and third quarters the lead for Albia stayed steady between four and seven points.
Centerville would make a run, but Albia would counter to maintain the lead and control of the game.
Holding a 34-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter the shots started to fall at the right time for Albia once again.
First it was Rowen Archer that was able to hit a three to bring momentum to the crowd. Centerville tried to counter, but they were unable to. A few minutes later another three flew from the hands of Cael Schofield. His shot fell right through the nylon. Although Albia already had the lead the shot from Schofield solidified the lead Albia at double digits.
“Defensively we were great all night,” Coach Archer said. “What happened in the fourth we were able to knock some shots down. We hit some threes and really took advantage of all the looks that we got. We were able to score when we needed to. Defensively we were really, really good tonight. We followed the game plan exactly how we needed to.”
The mix of defense and well timed shots helped keep the Blue Demons in the lead. With their three pointers Albia was able to grow their lead into the double digits for the first time all game.
“The timing on a lot of three pointers that we made was just exactly right,” Coach Archer said. “We had a really nice run in the fourth quarter where we got momentum from threes and the lead went from nine to 14 or 16 in just a few minutes. That was such a big deal.”
With the lead Albia played a little more relaxed helping their lead grow even more.
Even when the game became a little chippy at the end. Centerville was cited with nearly back-to-back intentional fouls, the Blue Demons kept their cool and shot on, making sure that they were going to book a trip to play in the next round of the class 2A tournament.
That’s exactly what Albia did as they were able to win the game 54-40.
The win keeps Albia’s season going. They will go on to face Pella Christian in Pella on Thursday night.
“They are a team that not only expects to be playing in Des Moines, but they are expecting to go there with a chance to win the whole thing,” Coach Archer said. “They are a monster of a team. We got to come out and we have to execute to have a good game against them. We have the ability to have a good night from the perimeter as well.”
With Monday’s game Centerville ends the season at 10-11 overall.
Albia was led in scoring by Gage Chance and Rowen Archer, both players had 14 points. Luke Wynn added seven points for the Blue Demons.
Schofield finished with five points. Connor Fisher and Cooper Bradley both had four points each. Another four points were scored by Ryan Little.
Grant Powers added two points.
The Big Reds were led by Ryan Sinnott who had 11 points. Daniel George had 10 points in the game.
Malachi Rich had eight points.
Connor Stephens finished with six points. Brady Cisler was able to score five points for the Big Reds.
