Dawgs Downed at Dome

STATE TOURNAMENT

SAN ANTONIO—After observing the last two state championship games from the sidelines after consecutive semifi nals losses, Thorndale was not interested in watching again with the fans. They wanted the fans watching them.

While the outcome wasn’t exactly the one they were aiming for, it was nice to be back on Texas basketball’s center stage.

Participating in their first title game in 10 years, the Bulldogs came up short in a 61-55 loss to Stinnett West Texas in the Class 2A state championship game Saturday afternoon in front of 11,873 fans at the Alamodome.

Thorndale—ranked No. 1 most of the season—finishes the season 34-4, the second most wins in school history behind the 2007 state championship team’s 36.

The Bulldogs had won 20 straight coming into the finale.

After posting 34 points and 15 rebounds in two games, senior point guard Ty Prince was named to the all-tournament team.

“We just competed, competed, competed,” said Thorndale Coach John Kovar, who has fashioned a 140-33 record in five years. “We fought and fought and fought.”

“It is tough to keep fighting back after you get down. We showed a lot of heart to keep fighting. I think they all showed everybody what they are made of today.

“I was hoping that we would be all smiles sitting here right now.”

After disposing of defending state champion Muenster in the semfinals, the Bulldogs were prepared to add another piece of hardware to their trophy case, which houses state championship trophies from 2007 and 2008.

Trailing 54-44 with 2 minutes, 31 seconds remaining to be played, with Stinnett seemingly in control, the Bulldogs were not going down without a fight.

Problem was, their team leader Prince was relegated to the bench after committing his fifth foul.

After a pair of Sam Reaves free throws, two unlikely sources—Lance Niemtschk and Ashton Albert—rained in back-to-back three pointers to quickly slice the lead to 54-52 with 1:32 left in the game and reinvigorated their teammates and the large mob of Thorndale fans across the way.

“I was like, ‘Wow, is this really happening?’ ” said Albert. “It felt surreal for a second.”

Thorndale forced Stinnett to the free throw line in the remaining time and the Comanches responded, sinking seven-of-12 in the final 1:19.

“They made their shots, they made their free throws,” Kovar said. “For 37 games, I had told our guys that if we play great defense and the other team hits the shots that beat you, the other team just hits the shots that beat you.”

After they pulled within two, the Bulldogs could get no closer and after another Reaves free throw and Niemtschk’s layup, they would not score again as the clock wound down with Stinnett’s 7-3 run.

Thorndale outscored the Comanches 19-17 in the final period.

Stinnett depended upon an unlikely source for its double-digit lead in Jonah Villanueva.

The generously listed 5-foot-8 guard pulled the trigger on six three-pointers, including four straight in the pivotal third quarter, as Thorndale concentrated on shutting down the Comanches big men, which included 6-foot-8 Dalin Williams.

Villanueva had three points in the Comanches semifinal win over Shelbyville on five shots.

He was named the state championship most valuable player for his special effort.

Both squads showed great accuracy from the floor. Stinnett made 52.6 percent of its shots and Thorndale 48.9.

Stinnett (36-2) was making its first appearance at the state tournament and captured the school’s first championship in a team sport.

Before fouling out, Prince produced a team-high 16 points with five assists and four rebounds.

Reaves and Albert contributed 13 points apiece, with Reeves connecting on eight-of-10 free throws.

All 13 of Albert’s points came in the second half.

The Bulldogs lose eight seniors off this year’s team, including starters Prince, Albert, Logan Fisher and Mason Fisher.

Prince, Albert and the Fishers played in all three state tournaments.

“Third time—it’s a charm,” Prince said.

Reaves, a junior, will be the only returning starter.

“We’re not going to take this for granted,” said Reaves. “Win or lose, we’re going to look back and remember all the good times we’ve had. These guys, they started out as my friends, and now they’re family.”

Semifinals

The Bulldogs slugged out a 39-35 semifinals victory over defending state champion Muenster in front of 8,179 fans Friday morning.

Thorndale prevented Muenster (18-6) from doubling up after taking the Class 2A state championship in football.

Thorndale was ready to play under the spotlight again.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Kovar said. “I’ve been here as a spectator on a Saturday. To finally get to coach in the game, it’ll be great.”

The Bulldogs rode the effort of the 6-foot-5 Prince, who took over on offense and collected a double-double with 18 points while grabbing 11 rebounds

Prince had just one assist, but it was a crucial one as he zipped a pass to Mason Fisher who nailed a critical three-pointer that snapped a 33-all tie with 3:11 remaining to be played.

“I kept saying, ‘Hit it, hit it,’ and he made a big one,” Kovar said of Fisher, who has made a habit of supplying important threes throughout his career.

The Bulldogs—who shot just 32.6 percent from the floor—recorded a season-low in points, but their defense made up for the lack of scoring by preventing Muenster from scoring.

Thorndale committed just five fouls and Muenster did not attempt a single free throw and shot 36.2 from the field.

“We talked about it at halftime: ‘As long as we keep playing great defense, we’re going to win this game,’ ” Kovar said. “We talked about getting back on D and not giving them anything for free. I’d love to score a little bit more and shoot a little bit better, but as long as we defend like that, we’ll be fine.”

The Bulldogs limited Muenster leading scorer John Weger to 10 points, 10 below his season average. He also had six turnovers.

Thorndale grabbed the lead 9-4 in the first quarter after three straight treys from Reeves and Prince and never trailed again.

West Texas High 61, Thorn-dale 55

THORNDALE (34-4)—Logan Fisher 3-4, 0-0 6, Ty Prince 8-13 0-0 16, Ashton Albert 6-12 1-3 13, Mason Fisher 1-2 0-1 2, Sam Reeves 2-10 8-10 13, Lance Niemtschk 2-3 0-0 5, Scott Guzman 0-0 0-0 0, Jesus Hernandez 0-0 0-0 0 Ashton Schaeffer 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 22-45 8-10—55

WEST TEXAS (36-2):—Jalin Conyers 1-5 8-13 10, Gage Cassity 5-7 2-4 13, Dalin Williams 4-4 0-0 8, Jeffery Jefferson 3-7 1-6 7, Jonah Villanueva 7-11 2-2 22, Matthew Freriks 0-2 1-2 1. Totals: 20-38 14-27—61 Thorndale 15 21 3 6—55 West Texas 20 24 4 4—61

3-point goals: Thorndale 3-12 (Prince 0-2, Albert 1-3, Fisher 0-1, Reeves 1-4, Niemtschk 1-2), WT High 7-18 (Jefferson 0-1, Cassity 1-3, Villanueva 6-10, Freriks 0-2, Seay 0-2). Total fouls: Thorndale 21, WT High 12. Fouled out: Prince, Albert. Technicals: Thorndale bench. Attendance: 11,873.

Thorndale 39, Muenster 35

THORNDALE (34-3)—Prince 18, Albert 7, Reaves 7, Fisher 4, Fisher, M. 2. Totals: 14-43 6-9—39

MUENSTER (18-6)—Luttmer 12, Weger 10, Walterscheid 4, Stevens 2, Eldridge 3, McGrew 4. Totals: 17-47 0-0—35.