For the first time in school history, the Middle College Bulldogs are headed to the state tournament! Was it easy ? Not at all, but it was was worth the price of admission to see the looks on the players faces, coaches and fans as they ran across the floor after winning the sub-state title last night. The part where I said was it easy, yeah on to that. 35-22 half time lead, they quickly came out and continued to keep the pedal to the meddle on Humboldt who couldn’t get stops. Rhan Evans Jr, 2 putbacks in a row, 44-30 and they were in full control. Funny thing though, I do a show on Monday’s called Courtside with Chuck Lawson and I did it right before arriving to the game.
On the show, me and my guy (John Best) talked about basketball being a game of runs and that is exactly what occurred in the 3rd quarter for Humboldt. They went on a 14-2 spurt and just like that, the once 16 point lead was down to just 5. 47-42 heading to the 4th quarter.
Let’s take you the final moments, 53-52, Middle College up just 1, Humboldt turned it over with 2:24 giving Middle College some time to run off the clock some but they would turn it over in what looked as though the ball handler just lost his footing on the sideline giving Humboldt the ball with 1:28 left. Humboldt would miss at the rim but an offensive rebound would put them up 56-54 with 44.7 seconds left in the game giving them their first lead. On the next possession, Middle College couldn’t the score to tie it and Humbolt gained possession calling a timeout.
On the inbound with 12 seconds left, they would score on a lay up to give them a 3 point lead, 58-55. Down 3, season ends on a missed shot most likely but plenty of time left and what happens next is a shot that will never be forgotten for Middle College.
Kason Thomas made biggest 3 of his life sending the game into overtime, incredible moment, incredible shot. Destiny comes in many forms, sometimes it comes from the bank, a bank shot off the glass. Did I mention that Thomas is only a freshman? To overtime they went and of course, 3 ball by who else, Thomas again followed by a 3 by senior PJ Mask who was so huge in this game defensively and making timely shots.
Game, set, match, Middle College is headed to Murfreesboro.
Thoughts
- To ask for it, take and make that shot for a freshman, Kason Thomas is going to be a player!! Remember this name for the future, 6’3 6’4 guard, 2027. That moment was so big, I don’t think he understands himself what he did last night. Then to hit another big one in overtime, in that moment, he was ready.
- PJ Mask is absolute game wrecker on defense. I know he had to have at least 10 steals if not more. The effort he puts in on that end of the floor, what more can you ask for from your point guard. He anticipates passes in the air so well for steals, it seems as though the ball kind of finds his hands on that end. He takes a lot of pride on that end of the floor, you can tell and it shows. He ran the show last time, set the table for his teammates to score last night and he made some shots particularly from 3 where he might have found a teammate earlier in the year but he trusted himself. I’ve watched him progress over the years and I can say that is one of the best times I’ve ever seen him play and on that stage, Mask set himself apart last night.
- You need others players to step up and they did last night for Middle College. Samarion Irving, a junior made some plays, Cruz Arnold hit some key shots and got their offense going along with Irving early in the game when their offense sputtered some early on. Stanley Anderson and Rhan Evans Jr both played well, Evans scored 4-6 points straight just with effort hitting the offensive glass in the 3rd quarter. You will need that at the state tournament and they all showed they could be leaned on in heavy spots if need be.
