Gallatin County falls short in 1A Sectional Championship

Posted March 05, 2017 10:00 pm

Staff Report

Staff Report NORRIS CITY- After senior Seth Ramsey banked in a 3-pointer to close the third quarter and give his team a two-possession lead on Woodlawn at the NCOE 1A sectional championship Friday night, it felt like it might be the Hawks' night. But from that point on, Woodlawn was able to turn the tide with a big fourth quarter as the Hawks came up on the short end of a 50-40 final score. Woodlawn connected on seven 3-pointers, including four from freshman Blake McKay. "It was a game of runs" said Gallatin County coach Doug Miller. "Boy, they (Woodlawn) can shoot the basketball. McKay was on fire. We worked on that for three days on how to guard him. I thought we were right there a lot of the time, he just stepped up and made big shots." Gallatin County knocked down seven triples as well with five coming from Ramsey and one each from Audie Goebel and Robbie Prince. The Hawks went over seven minutes without a field goal in the final quarter and finished just 9-of-19 from the foul line on the evening. Ramsey finished with 25 points for his club and ended his stellar high school career with 2,242 points. "Every single time we step in the gym, we work hard," said Ramsey. "That's what I love about these guys. I wish the best of luck to them, and I've just been blessed to play with them." Ramsey, along with fellow seniors Trevor Duvall, Bryon Wargel, Luis Rubio and Hunter Walters finished their senior season with a 21-9 record and with just three of those losses to fellow 1A schools. "I looked in the stands before the game tonight and I had about 20 former players from Thompsonville, from Norris City, and you build those bonds," said Miller. "That's what coaching is all about; bonds and relationships with kids like that last a lifetime. I told Seth (Ramsey) it was our last game together, but it's not our last supper together, last phone call together and the same with Bryon (Wargel), Hunter (Walters), Trevor (Duvall) and (Luis) Rubio. Basketball is over, but our friendships are just beginning." Gallatin County was making its first sectional appearance since 2013 when it reached the Elite Eight. Woodlawn (18-14) won its sixth sectional since 2009 and will meet Effingham St. Anthony Tuesday at the SIU Arena at 6 p.m in a 1A supersectional. Woodlawn         06 12 08 24 - 50 Gallatin County     06 09 15 10 - 40 Woodlawn (50): Issac 5 5-5 15, Wollerman 1 0-0 3, Bennett 4 2-5 12, Hoppa 0 2-2 2, Ashby 0 2-2 2, McKay 4 4-6 16. Totals 14 15-20 50. Gallatin County (40): Ramsey 7 6-13 25, Rubio 0 2-4 2, Goebel 1 1-2 4, Prince 1 0-0 3, A. Walters 2 0-0 4, Rushing 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 9-19 40. 3-pointers: Woodlawn 7 (McKay 4, Bennett 2, Wollerman), Gallatin County 7 (Ramsey 5, Goebel, Prince). Team fouls: Woodlawn 18, Gallatin County 17. Fouled out: Wollerman ; Goebel. Records: Woodlawn is 18-14, Gallatin County finishes 21-9.