Each season every basketball team faces one final loss except the champ. Sometimes it comes earlier than you expect and in others you stick around longer than many thought you might. This years Cardinal team had flashes of greatness and valleys of despair as they made the trek through one of the deepest and toughest conferences in Missouri high school basketball. Seeded #4, the expectations from the voters in district 6 was not extremely high. But, somebody forgot to tell the players.
An opening win over Hillcrest and semifinal upset of Central put the Cardinals into the district title game. The only #4 seed left in the state to earn a shot at a district championship. The only thing left in their way was a re-match with Parkview, the team that had given the Cardinals their worst loss of the season.
The Vikings hit the Cardinals with back to back three pointers to open the game. A free throw from Slade Hurd put the first points on the board for the home team. The remainder of the first half was a defensive battle from both teams. The six point opening salvo was the largest lead for either team. Pulling even late in the half, Eli Pace hit a 15 foot jumper in the final 15 seconds to give Cardinals a hard fought 19-16 lead at the break.
The third quarter was much more of the same even as both teams were able to put a few more points on the board. Tied at two different points with four lead changes, Webb City was clinging to single point lead with one final quarter.
A Holton Keith bucket as the quarter began gave Webb City a three point lead, but flying down the court the Vikings hit a quick three, calling time out with the game tied at 38. Seven minutes for someone to take the title and advance into the state tournament.
It took more than two minutes before Parkview scored the next bucket. Then ninety seconds later, after missed shot from Webb City, the next 15 seconds turned the momentum to Parkvew. A field goal, giving the Vikings a four point lead was quickly followed up with a Cardinal turnover and easy layup putting Parkview up by six. A score from Trae Turner was all that was left offensively with Parkview scoring the final eight, earning the district title with a 52-40 outcome.
The quote on today's game notes summarized the effort. "Champions don't show up to get everything they want, they show up to give everything they have." And the Cardinals certainly did that. Senior Holton Keith led the offensive output with 14 points and grabbed a team best nine rebounds. Also playing every minute of the game, classmate Eli Pace helped control the pace of play, scoring four points to go along with four assists. Trae Turner finished with eight with Holden Johnson and Dalton Riggs both adding five points each off the bench.
Finishing 16-13 on the season, the Cardinals were 10-4 on the home court.