For Supersectional night I drove down [and out] to Ottawa for Metamora and Marmion. The Kingman gym is a historic place, and worth the experience regardless of how far you have to go. When the place is packed, as it was Monday night, you can't hear yourself think or talk, or even yell or scream.
The Redbirds were trying to get back downstate for the second consecutive season. Last season they beat a resilient St. Francis team, and this time they needed to get past an upstart Marmion squad.
Metamora came in having won 29 games in a row. Their last loss came during the Washington Thanksgiving Classic against Joliet West. The Cadets played a rugged Catholic League schedule, including an upset win over Mount Carmel January 31st.
The Redbirds got off to a 24-12 lead with 4:15 left in the second quarter. The Cadets, led by point guard Collin Wainscott, would end the half on a 9-2 run, trailing 26-21 at halftime. Things got tighter in the third when Wainscott and company barely outscored the Redbirds 13-11, and trailed 37-34 after three periods.
The Redbirds would not be denied as they pulled away in the fourth quarter defeating the tough Cadets 60-48 to win their 30 game in a row, and win back-to-back Supersectionals.
The Redbirds had four guys finish the game in double figures in points. 6-2 Tyson Swanson led the Redbirds with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Drew Tucker had 12 points, and point guard Tyler Mason had 11 points, including 7 in the first half. 6-6 South Alabama commit Ethan Kizer had 10 points and 10 rebounds, including a nasty board and slam dunk.
Wainscott led the Cadets with 20 points. Fellow Cadet stars Jabe Haith and Trevon Roots (7 rebounds, 2 blocks) finished with 13 points and 8 points respectively.
The Cadets finish the season with a 23-12 record. The Redbirds (32-2) will play East St. Louis (25-8) Friday.
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