Bulldogs advance to Regional Semifinals
The Thorndale Bulldogs will advance to the Regional Semifinals after defeating the Big Sandy Wildcats on Tuesday night in the regional quarterfinals.
The Bulldogs would defeat Big Sandy 48-44 to advance to the Regional Semifinals. They will take on the Stockdale Brahmas. The date and time are yet to be announced.
The Bulldogs traveled to Rockdale on Friday, Feb. 24, for the Area round of the playoffs. They took on the Mumford Mustangs and were victorious, winning in convincing fashion 52-35. The game started slow and would stay scoreless until the 5-minute when Mumford made a three pointer to take an early 3-0 lead.
Thorndale got on the scoreboard with a three point shot by Blake Roberts (1) to tie the score at three. Mumford would score a basket but the Bulldogs responded right back with a basket of their own by Luke Merz (5) to tie the game again at 5. Thorndale would increase their lead with a layup by Clason Beasley (3) for a 9-5 lead, which would be the score at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter started with a three point shot by Merz to make it a 12-5. The Mustangs would charge back to make the score 12-10, but the Bulldogs responded with a layup by Beasley for a 14-10 lead. The Bulldogs extended their lead with a basket by Beasley to make the score 19-10. Thorndale stayed aggressive with a fastbreak layup by Jayden Clawson (24) to take a double digit 23-12 lead, which would be the score going into halftime.
“I think their style of play plays into it a little bit,” Coach Michael Williams said. “They really extend. Whenever you do that, you leave gaps. Clayson was able to get to the hole, we were able to get some penetration and kick it out to open guys that could make shots. That’s a lot of it; we were able to get into the teeth of their defense a little bit better as the game went on.”
The third quarter for Thorndale started with a layup by Beasley to make it a 25-14 lead. The Bulldogs added on with a three pointer by Merz to make the score 28-18. The Bulldogs began to pull away with a layup by Roberts for a 32-20 lead. The third quarter ended with Thorndale in charge with a score of 36-20.
The Bulldogs started the fourth quarter bringing the crowd to life with an amazing alley oop dunk by Beasley off a pass by Roberts for a 38-20 lead. Thorndale grew their lead to 20 points on a layup by Beasley to make the score 44-24, and soon grew their lead to 48-33. The Bulldogs began to drain the game clock and would win 52-35 in a game where they led the entire second half.
“We had a couple of turnovers where they got some easy shots and some layups,” Williams said. “But outside of that, I think we just did a good job of taking care of the ball against their pressure. Whenever you’re able to take care of the ball and take good shots, you can keep a lead. Also on the defensive end, I felt like we got every defensive rebound for a while. Whenever you hold them to one shot, it’s really tough.”
Up next, Thorndale traveled to Madisonville to play the Wildcats of Big Sandy in the regional quarterfinals.
“I tell our kids this all the time; it’s not like we have to do anything crazy to beat anybody,” Williams said. “We practice and play with a style that carries and can compete with anybody. We’re just going to continue to do the same thing we’ve been doing, hopefully get sharper and sharper and continue to mature for the next game.”