The Sandy Creek boys basketball team earned a close win against Alma in the championship round of the C2-9 sub-district tournament, taking down the Cardinals 42-36.
Sandy Creek established an early double-digit lead in the first quarter, leading 12-2, but their performance slowed in the second quarter, allowing Alma to cut the lead to five points at the break, 19-14.
After halftime, the Cougars made several three-pointers, extending their lead to double digits while holding Alma to only seven points in the third quarter, leading 34-21.
In the fourth quarter, Alma made a significant effort to close the gap, however, the Cougars secured the victory with successful free throws in the final moments.
The leading scorers for Sandy Creek in the game were Kamerin Sealey and Wes Biltoft, each contributing 14 points.
Kaeden Schmidt, Ethan Shaw, Evan Swartzendruber, and Jack Clark each added three points, while Jacob Petr scored two points.
The Cougars ended the night with 28 total rebounds, consisting of 20 defensive and eight offensive rebounds, along with 11 assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Biltoft led the Cougars’ rebounding efforts with 10, while Shaw brought down nine, and Petr, four.
Petr dished out three assists in the win as the Cougars ran their record to 15-10 and advance to the C2-1 District Final against Freeman in Adams this past Monday night.
Sandy Creek................... 12 7 15 8 -42 Alma...............................2 12 7 15 -36 Scoring: FG FT Pts Wes Biltoft..................................... 6-7 2-2 14 Kamerin Sealey.............................. 4-9 2-2 14 Evan Swartzendruber..................... 1-2 0-0 3 Kaeden Schmidt............................. 1-2 0-0 3 Jack Clark....................................... 1-5 0-0 3 Ethan Shaw................................... 1-10 1-4 3 Jacob Petr...................................... 1-3 0-0 2 Sandy Creek Totals:............... 15-38 5-8 42 3-pt FG: Sealey 4-9, Swartzendruber 1-2, Schmidt 1-2, J. Clark 1-5, E. Shaw 0-2, Petr 0-2. Total: 7-22. Rebounds: Biltoft 10, E. Shaw 9, Petr 4, Sealey 2, Schmidt 2, J. Clark 1. Total: 28. Assists: Petr 3, E. Shaw 2, J. Clark 2, Biltoft 2, Swartzendruber 1, Sealey 1. Total: 11.
Sandy Creek head coach Cole Wiseman watches on while players cheer on their teammates from the bench during the Feb. 28 sub-district game against Alma. The Cougars earned a 42-36 win over the Cardinals. JASON BROCKMAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS
