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| Mustangs Fall To Hazard 43-38 In All "A" State Championship Game |
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| Before coming to Brossart High School, Coach Willie Schlarman knew all about this All "A" thing. It was one of the major reasons he found the opportunity to coach the Mustangs attractive. He felt that Brossart was well postitioned to compete in the All "A" Classic seriously on the statewide level. This year marked the third time that he has taken the Mustangs to Richmond, and this year we were on the extended stay plan. After defeating Somerset, University Heights, and Newport Central Catholic the Mustangs were indeed positioned to win that coveted State Crown. They would have to beat the Hazard Bulldogs, winners over Todd County |
| Central, Caverna, and Walton-Verona. Everything seemed to be going our way. The priest at mass Sunday morning was wearing green, the choir sang my favorite church tune, "Lord of the Dance," and when we arrived at Frisches the hostess informed me immediately upon our arrival that our section was set up for us (even though we hadn't called ahead) and we were immediately seated and served. About that time the bus arrived carrying the Whitesburg Girls basketball team who stood stacked up at the door gazing at us occupying their seats as the Frishes staff scrambled to seat the Lady Jackets. It was at that time that I made a fatal error in judgement and decided to wear the same tie to the game that I wore to mass and not change into my "big game" tie. What was I thinking??? Willie had predicted an ugly game in the morning paper and his prediction was on the money in the first period which ended at 5-4, a score more befitting a baseball game than a hoops contest. In the second quarter Hazard led by as much as 14-11 but couldn't build on it and were caught at 14, and as the half came to an end the two teams were deadlocked at 17 each and the game was now shortened to a sixteen minute confrontation for the "A" State Championship. In the third quarter Hazard led early but the Mustangs took the lead 25-23 at the 3:19 mark, but it was short-lived as Hazard re-asserted themselves to take a 29-25 lead and led by the same four point margain 31-27 at the end of the third quarter. The Mustangs rallied to take their last lead of the game 33-32 at 6:01 and although the Bulldogs never led by more than three and the Mustangs would receive a multitude of chances in the last minute of the game, Hazard would hold on to win the tournament by the final score of 43-38. I should have changed my tie!!! While the dejected Brossart Mustangs received their Runner-up trophy and Evan McDole, Kevin Smith, and Derrick Rhoden were being named to the all-tournament team, the Hazard Bulldog fans were planning a reception later that night and arrangements were being made to have a police escort from the county line back home. Willie Schlarman and the Mustangs would have to wait until next year for another chance at State Championship rings. Derrick Rhoden led all scorers with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double, Kevin Smith put up 7, Steve McCarthy added 6, Jason Cooper 4, Ryan Anderson 3, and Evan McDole hit a pair of free-throws for 2. Tournament MVP Lamar Williams had 13, all in the second half to lead the Bulldogs. Brossart outrebounded the Dawgs 42-28. An assembly will be held in the gym at 10am on Monday morning to recognize the accomplishment of the State "A" Runners-Up. It is open to the general public. Brossart will now focus their attentions to the Mason County Royals who will come to call on Tuesday at the Campbell County Middle School. Congratulations to the Hazard Bulldogs - 2004 Touchstone Energy All "A" Classic State Champions. |