Bell City's post players made their presence felt

While the Cubs' 3-point shooters were off target Saturday night, Bell City's inside players picked the slack in the Class 1 title game.

Seniors Randy Conn and Zak McIntyre were just 1-for-6 from 3-point range on Saturday, compared to 8-of-17 in the semifinal game, but the Cubs made up the difference by hitting the boards.

Post players Tyler Victor, A.J. Henry and Jeff Liggins combined for 19 rebounds. Victor grabbed eight rebounds, Henry had six in nine minutes of play, and sophomore Liggins finished with five.

"That's what we stress before every game," Bell City coach David Heeb said. "Every game we want to win the boards."

Liggins responded from a 3-for-8 shooting performance in the semifinals to shoot 6-for-7 from the field on Saturday. Other than Dominitrix Johnson's 40 points, Liggins was Bell City's only other double-figure scorer with 13.

"I thought different kids just made big plays," Heeb said. "Jeffrey definitely made some big shots and picked us up there."

Liggins' 13-point performance in the final was only his second double-digit performance in the state playoffs. He had 12 points in the Cubs' sectional game against Scott County Central.

Heeb said while some people may have questioned Liggins' heart last season, there was no questioning him this time around.

"We're not state champs if Jeff Liggins is not on the floor," he said.

Bell City's 29 wins matched its school record set during the 2001-02 state championship season.

Bell City sophomore guard Blaine Stewart, a starter before breaking his foot late in the season, was able to get into the game late with the win at hand.

Eddie Green, a 5-foot fan favorite freshman reserve for Bell City, matched his season field goal total by hitting a late 3-pointer in the title game.