TIGERS HEARTBREAK
By Matt Gengler, Sports Editor
sports@missourivalleytimes.com
A stunned silence blanketed the media room, as the Woodbine Tigers tried to grasp what just happened.
Disbelief and Heartbreak were the only two words to describe the look of the Tigers players and coaches at the completion of the final Class 1A State Quarterfinal round of the Boys State Basketball Championships at Wells Fargo Arena on March 12 in Des Moines.
Fort Dodge St. Edmond scored 10 of the final 15 points (10-5 run) in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter to escape with a 52-49 win over Woodbine.
“Both teams made runs, as we knew they would,” stated Head Coach Kyle Bartels. “In the end, they were able to knock down some clutch shots, and ours didn’t fall. We knew this would be a pretty even match-up, and our defense would keep us in the game. But we didn’t expect was our shooting woes, especially late in the game. We executed at a high level and got the looks we wanted. Our kids took 1,000’s of shots in the off-season, but we hadn’t played in 10 days (since substate final, March 1), and we wanted to conserve energy since we planned on making a big run down here.”
Woodbine struggled from the field a majority of the game, knocking down 18-56 (32.1 pct) from the field, 5-13 (38.5 pct.) from the free throw line, and converting just 8-35 (22.9 pct) from the three-point line.
“Unfortunately, the shots didn’t fall today,” stated senior Carson Kelley. “It’s been a tremendous run with so many memories. It hurts right now, we had the looks all game long, We wanted more, and the last one is always the most difficult, but it means a lot to finish the our second straight season down here with this team. It’s something we won’t forget, so glad to be a part of it.”
Both teams came out of the halftime lockerroom tied at 22-22, and Woodbine appeared to take control with a 15-2 spurt, putting them up 37-24 midway through the third quarter, but the Gaels responded with a 10-2 run in the final three minutes of the third quarter, slicing the lead down to 39-34 by the end of the third quarter.
Junior Brody Pryor added, “That was the frustrating part of the entire night, we had the looks the entire game, they just wouldn’t fall. We knew we would be in the game the entire way, coaches just told us to keep playing defense, rebound, and believe in your shots. They will eventually fall. We had a goal to get back here and play a couple of games. We did what we wanted, but still fell short. It’s tough right now, but we’ll have plenty fuel for the off-season, as we’re going to have a sticker of this score in the locker room when we get back. We’re going to miss those seniors.”
Brody Pryor (13 points, 3 steals), Carson Kelley (12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks), and Jax Pryor (11 points, 4 rebounds) led the way for the Tigers.
The Tigers senior class of Matt Cline, Carson Kelley, Xander Johnson, Gunner Wagner, Cody Dickinson and Carter Gruver combined for a 46-5 record the last two years, two straight Rolling Valley Conference titles and back to back state tournament appearances. They finished their careers with 74 career wins.
“Bartels concluded, “It’s an incredible group with a tremendous work ethic. They did everything we asked of them in practice, and have great futures ahead of them. This is an irreplaceable group, the teamwork, the brotherhood is really going to be missed.”
In the end, the tears were real knowing how close they came to tasting that first state tournament victory in school history.
Class 1A State Basketball - Quarterfinals
Boys BB: 3-12-2025 @ Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Woodbine 19 3 17 10 49
FD St. Edmond 15 7 12 18 52
Points: Carter Gruver 7; Carson Kelley 12; Brody Pryor 13; Landon Blum 6; Jax Pryor 11.
Rebounds: Gruver 10; Kelley 8; B. Pryor 3; Blum 3; J. Pryor 4; Xander Johnson 2.
Assists: Gruver 9; B. Pryor 1; J. Pryor 1;
Steals: Gruver 2; B. Pryor 3.
Blocks: Kelley 4.
Woodbine Tigers Record: (15-1 RVC); 23-3.
