The Nevada Tigers knew they would have their hands full with the Guardians from St Michaels the Archangel out of Lees Summit, MO in the Class 4 District 13 Championship, and while they put up a valiant fight, their season would come to an end Saturday in Pleasant Hill.
The full-court pressure defense and long wingspan of the Guardians’ players wreaked havoc early causing quick Nevada turnovers and a 10-0 run before Nevada would even get a chance to set up their halfcourt offense and find Riddick Shook for 2. But it seemed that for each bucket Nevada would find St Michaels would have an answer keeping the deficit in double-digits. Junior Jack Cheaney would try and get his team going, scoring 8 of his game-high 18 points in this quarter, but at the end of one quarter the Guardians were up 19-10.
To start off the second quarter the Guardians would look like they were going to steal and take off down the court, however, Cheaney leaped into the air blocking the outlet pass and taking the ball to the bucket. St Michaels would answer with an offensive rebound and put back on their end, but the Tigers’ Gabe Smith would get an offensive rebound of his own and turn around and take the ball to the bucket keeping the Tigers within reach. Mason Majors would come in and knock down a 3-pointer in front of the Guardians' bench keeping the offensive spark going for the Tigers. A Nevada foul on the other end would allow the Guardians to step up to the free throw line, however, they would miss both tries and the Tigers would run down the floor and Brice Budd would find Majors for another 3-pointer getting Nevada back within one point at 21-20. St Michaels didn’t seem phased by the Nevada run and instead knocked out 13 unanswered points of their own and just like that the Tigers were back to a double-digit deficit and an uphill battle. Nevada continued to work as Budd made an efficient bounce pass through defenders to Alex Ast who would knock down the bucket, and Nevada would follow that up with a defensive stop and a Budd drive and teardrop basket for 2 more to get the Tigers back within 10 with just under 20 seconds remaining in the half. Nevada’s defense would make a stand and not allow the Guardians to score again before the half was over and going into the locker rooms St Michaels would take a lead of 34-24.
Both teams would trade turnovers to start the 3rd period, but the Guardians would find the basket first from an offensive rebound and putback. Jack Cheaney would grab a rebound and find Riddick Shook for 3 to get the Tigers in the scoring column as both teams worked to keep their seasons alive. Shook would stand tall for a charge on the defensive end giving the Tigers another chance to score and Brice Budd would get a 3 to fall in front of the Nevada bench and the Tigers had the deficit back to single-digits at 39-30. After some quick Guadian buckets Jack Cheaney and the Tigers would go on an 8-0 run for Nevada, but St Michaels always seemed to be able to get shots to fall on the offensive side to keep the Tigers on the outside looking in. Nevada would work to get tough, contested shot opportunities up, but they refused to fall. Brice Budd would get fouled in the act of shooting and knock down 1 of 2 free throws as the Guardians had been called for 5 fouls putting Nevada in the bonus for the rest of the quarter. Mason Majors would step up and knock down two more free throws with just under a minute to go in the quarter before St. Michaels would knock down a baseball pass shot from behind the Tigers' free throw line at the buzzer sending a large jolt of momentum to the Guadians and an absolute dagger to the Tigers.
With 8 minutes to play in the game, and for some their final 8 minutes in a Tiger uniform The Guardians continued their full-court pressure and the Tigers worked hard to push through with all they had. St. Michaels would open the scoring, but Jack Cheaney would give extra effort to get the ball back to the Tigers on a possession and be rewarded with an open lay-up after the defense was caught scrambling. On the next Tiger possession, Cheaney would get fouled on the shot and knock down both free throws, but St Michaels would take the ball back down the court and drill a 3-pointer as it seemed like they had limitless offensive weapons to choose from. Brice Budd would get fouled on a shot as he drove the ball in, hitting both free throws, as the Tigers stood tall and were very efficient from the charity stripe, knocking down 11 of 13 on the day. Budd would be pulled from the game momentarily by the referee as he had blood streaming down his head from the hard St Michaels’ foul, but trainer Kaylee Peery would hurriedly work to get him pieced back together enough to get as much time on the court as possible for the senior. Budd would go back in and knock down 2 more free throws before Head Coach Shaun Gray would begin to pull his seniors out one by one to let their coaches, teammates, and fans show them how much they have meant to the Nevada Tiger program. With big hugs as they went down the line and a standing ovation from the crowd, Budd, Shook, and Hoffman, each walked off the court for the final time as Nevada Tigers and the younger classmen would finish the game and the final scoreboard would read 72-49 in favor of the Guardians.
Jack Cheaney led the way for the Tigers with 18, Brice Budd added 10, Mason Majors 8, Riddick Shook 5, Alex Ast 4, and Kellen Braden and Gabe Smith each had 2 apiece.
Head Coach Shaun Gray, who has watched all of these seniors along with their teammates go through the Nevada Tiger program from Junior High to now, said after the game “While we fell short of our final goal, we were very proud of the effort and grit that this group showed not only Saturday, but all season long. Jack led us in scoring with 18, and a terrific first quarter to keep us in the game. Brice battled the SMA lead scorer all night with a valiant effort and also chipped in 10 points. Mason Majors was a score-by spark for us and helped us get back into the game in the 2nd quarter. 7 guys scored for us and everyone that stepped on the court defended hard. We are excited for the promise that all of our younger guys have shown in practices and in games. That tremendous practice effort allowed us to get better throughout the season.”
Adding about his team Coach Gray said “While we knew the task would be tall, our crew never shied away or doubted. We battled to the end, even when things looked bleak. That final effort even in defeat is exactly what we’ve come to expect from this crew… they know there is only 1 way to play… with all you’ve got… all the time… regardless of score or circumstance.” Looking back over the season he also said “This group was a pleasure to coach, and they battled every day in practice and on game nights. They made their coaches, their families and friends, and their school and community very proud. The 6 letters NEVADA were proudly honored by this group and their legacy will always be that of hard work, determination, and grit.” To his 3 graduating players he added “Thank you seniors and parents for a terrific 23-24 season, Go Tigers!”
At the end of the day, many players will be frantically switching over to their spring sport as is the cycle of high school athletics. While some are washing and hanging up their basketball jerseys for the last time, their legacy will remain in the younger players who worked with them through one of the longest seasons in high school athletics. As a parent, when they tell you that the days are long but the nights are short, that’s not a cliche, it is in fact a very real statement.
