Sectional Game vs Daleville 2/28/12

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Written by Doug Zaleski of The Star Press--PARKER CITY -- When Monroe Central's 15-point lead in the second quarter vanished in the third period, coach Jeremy Duncan called a timeout to refocus his team. And he gave one simple instruction.

"We came out of the timeout and coach said, 'You better hit one for us,' " Golden Bears sophomore guard Chase Bly said. "I did everything in my power to hit one."

Bly accomplished his coach's directive -- and then some.

He scored on a 15-foot jumper along the baseline off a set play to put Monroe Central ahead for good, then banged in a 3-point shot from the left wing in transition on the next possession. The burst propelled the Golden Bears to a 79-52 victory Tuesday over Daleville in the opening game of the Monroe Central boys basketball sectional.

Monroe Central advanced to the semifinals, where it will play Wes-Del at 6 p.m. Friday. The other semifinal will match Southern Wells, a 57-42 winner over Cowan, against Liberty Christian.

Daleville (0-21) made a furious rally after falling behind 31-16 with 5:40 left in the second quarter. Behind the hot hand of Michael Staimpel, the Broncos rallied within 38-32 at halftime. They continued the momentum
in the third period and tied the score 41-41 on Zach Cook's 3-pointer basket with 5:05 left in the quarter.

"We played about as well in spurts tonight as we did all year," Daleville coach Corey Scott said. "That's why we do what we do -- work hard and try to get better. I was proud of our effort."

Duncan called timeout after Cook's tying basket to try to help his players regain their composure. He told his players in the huddle that he wasn't nervous about the outcome.

"At the same time, I think I was lying a little bit," Duncan admitted. "We had our backs against the wall, and when you have a team that, on paper you're supposed to beat, playing with you that late in the game, obviously you're going to be a little nervous."

He didn't have to fret long. After Bly's two baskets, Jacob Combs scored on a fastbreak layup and 3-point shot. Caleb Engle added a three-point play. Then Troy Starr started the fourth quarter with five straight points.

Another spurt followed Starr's run, and in a span of just more than nine minutes, Monroe Central (10-11) outscored Daleville 29-5 to command a 70-46 lead with 4:12 left in the game.

"We expect our shooters to make shots," Duncan said.

The Golden Bears hit 28-of-54 field goals for 52 percent.

Bly led the charge with 18 points, Combs had 17, Bracken Barga 12 and Derek Taylor 11.

Staimpel led Daleville with 19, and Jarred Riddle finished with 11.