-
Crockett Uber • For The Madill Record Kingston boys basketball player Kaden Johnson (10) drives past a Dale defender in the 2020 New Year’s Classic Boys Championship Game Jan. 11 inside the KMAC at Kingston High School. Dale claimed a 56-49 victory.
Due to the weather which caused changes in the schedule the Boys championship game was moved up to 4:30 pm.
Although his team fell 56-49 to the visiting Dale Pirates, Kingston coach Taylor Weibner should overall be pleased with the effort his young Redskins put out over the entire weekend.
To make it back to the championship round was very impressive. It was a great game and went right down to the fourth quarter before it got away.
In the first the action was fast and furious. Just like the night before, Jesse Rose had the task of guarding another center that had about 4” in height on him. Rose has a big following of fans that appreciate the work and effort he exerts. He understands the role that Coach Weibner has defined for him. Kaden Johnson had perhaps his best game as a Redskin. His 9 points in the quarter were stellar. Dakota “Microwave” Weibner hit two timely three pointers to show off his shooting talent. Brady Brister added a three of his own. The first quarter passed with the Dale Pirates cling to a 2 point lead. Score 18 to 20.
The second quarter was up and down and the Redskins off of Johnson and Weibners shooting pulled to a lead at the 6:00 min. mark. Brister and Jase Hayes both added field goals and went in at the halftime with a lead. The score was now 35 to 31.
Both teams tightened up the defense coming out of the locker room. The Pirates held the Redskins to 9 points in the quarter. Meanwhile the Redskins let them cut into the lead by 2. Johnson again lead the team with another three and a 2 point field goal. Due to Rose and his job off blocking out in the paint, Johnson was coming up with a lot of defensive rebounds. Rose had the only other field goal in the quarter. Hayes and Weibner both added free throws. The Redskins are clinging to a one point lead 44 to 43.
Fourth quarter, here is where it went bad. Coming out of the break, four consecutive trips down the court, and four turnovers with no points. That will usually do it for you. At the 5:47 mark, The Redskins were trailing now, 47 to 44. Johnson and Hayes could only manage a field goal each. Drew Caps added a free throw. With 1:00 left in the game the Redskins scored to pull to cut it to a six point game. With 28 seconds left they managed their last points pulling to within four. Dale Pirates won the championship, 56 to 49.
Kaden Johnson is beginning to show the senior leadership that Coach Weibner has been looking for. In tough spots he comes up with a big bucket or a timely rebound.
He wants the ball in his hands. This is what you need in a leader. His steadiness brings a calming effect to his younger teammates. Congrats to him and his entire team on a well played final.
Final game stats: Johnson lead all scorers with 22, he was followed by Weibner, who had a really nice game , with
13. Both Brister and Hayes finished with 5 points each. Rose and Capps added a field goal each.
After the game Coach Weibner had this to say, “Our guys are beginning to figure out the effort and toughness it takes to compete. Defensively we are starting to do a better job of limiting open baskets. We need to improve on our offensive movement and continuity to get open baskets for our selves. I like the direction we are heading though. They are a fun team to coach”. Congrats to Coach Weibner and his staff for a great tournament run.
The Redskins are off now until Tuesday the 14th of Jan. when they will host more Pirates. This time the Byng Pirates.