Top-seeded Advance boys basketball team reaches district final with semifinal win over Chaffee

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Chaffee's offense started Tuesday's Class 2 District 3 semifinal in overdrive.

The Red Devils struggled offensively at points this season, but that wasn't the case during the opening eight minutes against Advance. They were hitting baskets in transition, forcing turnovers and looked ready to make a run at upsetting top-seeded Advance.

But the Hornets would have none of it. They overcame a 10-point deficit and finally subdued the fourth-seeded Red Devils 68-61 to clinch a spot in Thursday's boys basketball district title game.

"I was getting a little worried," Advance senior Hunter Wilson said about the first-half deficit. "Our defense wasn't looking very good."

Chaffee (16-12) struck for 24 points in the opening quarter to grab a six-point lead. It went 10 of 19 from the field (53 percent) and forced Advance into five turnovers in the opening quarter.

"We just had to keep our composure," Advance sophomore Lane Below said. "We tried to not play their game. We weren't playing very well defensively and didn't have very much intensity. We just kind of picked it up on defense and that opened our offense up."

Chaffee's offense cooled in the second quarter, but Advance (17-9) didn't fare much better. Both teams scored six points, so Chaffee entered the break with a six-point advantage.

"Playing that pace, I just didn't think we were going to have a chance beating them trying to run with them," Chaffee coach Josh Govreau said. "They're used to scoring 70 or 80 points a game, where we're not capable of doing that. Even though we looked good in the first half of doing that, it's not something we were used to doing."

Advance's offense finally found its stroke in the third quarter. Below hit a 3-pointer with 1 minute, 34 seconds left in the third period to even the score at 39-39. It was the first time Chaffee didn't lead since 2:17 remained in the first quarter. Below also buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Hornets a five-point lead entering the final period.

"They were doubling down on our post man, Ethan Barr, so we were getting a lot of open looks outside," Below said.

Chaffee only managed 15 points in the middle two quarters. It shot 32 percent (7 of 22) during that span.

"We weren't as patient," said Chaffee senior Alex Crowe, who scored 30 points. "We started rushing shots. They also switched their defense. They started playing man instead of their 2-3."

Wilson took over in the fourth quarter. He scored 16 of his team-high 26 points in the final period.

"We were trying to take care of the ball and get it up," he said. "Then in the half court, don't settle for our outside shots. Attack the goal."

Chaffee made things interesting by getting within six on a pair of free throws by Alex Davie with 1:33 remaining, but Wilson unleashed a 3 from the corner that swished through.

"I about come out of my freaking shoes when he shot that 3 in the corner, but hey, late in the game, you got an easy opportunity, you take it," Advance coach Andrew Halford said.

Wilson said he never doubted taking the shot, which pushed Advance's lead back to nine points.

"I was feeling pretty good at that moment," he said. "I just knew that if I got the ball back and there wasn't anybody out there, I was just going to shoot it."

Chaffee cut its deficit to five points on two free throws by Crowe with 59.2 seconds left, but Advance scored the next five points to ice the win.

Advance's proficiency from outside paid off in the second half. Below and Wilson combined to go 6 of 7 from long range after halftime.

"People come on out on us, so we attack and create for other people," Wilson said. "Every time you hit a 3, it gets everybody going."

The Hornets now face Oran for the third time this season in Thursday's 8 p.m. district title game. Advance defeated the Eagles both times they played this season.

Chaffee 24 6 9 22 -- 61

Advance 18 6 20 24 -- 68

CHAFFEE (61) -- Alex Crowe 30, Peyton Montgomery 2, Jordan Yahn 9, Zach Dannenmueller 5, Alex Davie 9, Charlie Montgomery 2, Layton Tenkhoff 4. FG 23, FT 12-18, F 15. (3-pointers: Crowe 3. Fouled out: none)

ADVANCE (68) -- Lane Below 21, Trey Wallace 10, Hunter Wilson 26, Ethan Barr 4, Curtis Gilliland 3, Jacob Spears 4. FG 29, FT 4-12, F 17. (3-pointers: Wilson 3, Below 3. Fouled out: Wallace)