By Alex Kuhn
Sports Editor
Huskies don't blink in a state semifinal victory
Burlington set to go for fifth consecutive 1A state championship today at 3:30 p.m.
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CASPER — Having reigned as the 1A boys basketball champions the past four seasons, the Burlington Huskies get every team's best shot and if a team is going to deny them their fifth-straight championship blinking is not advisable.
The Encampment Tigers were one minute and 54 seconds away from dethroning the Huskies Friday night at Casper College, but Burlington showed their championship resolve and defeated the Tigers 48-42 in the 1A State semifinals.
"We were at the point of do or die, and that's what I told them. I made them all look me in the eye and commit to finishing and I thought at that point we were more mentally focused. From that point we played with more confidence and aggressiveness," said BHS boys basketball coach Matt Davidson.
The Tigers not only held a 41-38 lead with around 3:30 remaining in the game but were also in control of it. They were forcing the Huskies into bad and quick outside shots, then when they had possession of the ball they ran clock; although, it was too early to go into a four corners offense.
The Huskies forced a turnover with 1:54 and Davidson took a timeout to regroup with his team. Out of the timeout, on a set play, Donate Garza drove to the basket for the bucket and the harm, converted on the and-one, tying the game up for the Huskies at 41-all.
After tying the game up, the Husky defense came alive and either forced turnovers that led to easy buckets or forced the Tiger to foul them, to which they converted into points on the free-throw line.
"We were taking some poor shots given the time and score circumstances. We needed to take the ball to the basket for higher percentage shots," said Davidson on what he told his players during the timeout at 1:54.
Garza led the Huskies with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the double-double, while teammates Torey Wardell chipped in 13 and Dallin Davidson added 10 of his own.
Friday's win showed the Huskies’ champion resolve, but Davidson wants his team to work on their defensive consistency in order to close out the season with a win.
"We have to be more consistent on defense and have to box out better. On offense, we have to be more patient. I thought we forced things tonight [Friday]. We need to run the offense to find the best shot," said Davidson.
The Huskies tip off against the winner of Farson-Eden/Kaycee semifinal at 3:30 p.m. at the Casper Events Center.
