State Finals: Forest Park vs. Oak Hill
Oak Hill came into this matchup with Forest Park being used to having the most length on the floor, but as they saw in this game that wasn’t the case. Forest Park is young and they play a really solid half court 1-3-1 and 2-3 pressuring the shooters and getting their hands into the passing lanes. The game was super slow paced with no team gaining much momentum going into the half. Oak Hill had the advantage 23-17, but they didn’t really have any momentum.
In the third quarter, both teams came out quickly scoring basket after basket showing that they really wanted the win. Halfway through the third quarter the scoring stopped. Both teams went on long streaks of not making a basket and the defense took over once again. Both teams made some crucial shots late in the quarter and that made the fourth quarter one to be excited for.
Oak Hill went into the fourth quarter with a five point lead and extended that to 10 by the 5:42 mark in the last frame. Oak Hill held this lead through the rest of the game with their biggest lead coming by 13 with 3:03 left in the game. Forest Park just didn’t have the firepower to overcome a deficit by double digits at the end.
Best Offensive Player: Caleb Middlesworth (Oak Hill)
Middlesworth was really good in this one getting inside and finishing. He was 6/9 from inside the arc and sucked in the defense every time that he touched the ball. He did so much more on the offensive end of the ball that you will see on the stat sheet. He found open guys for shots and was instrumental in breaking the press once Forest Park started to press.
Best Defensive Player: Curt Hopf (Forest Park)
Hopf was really good in this one for being a freshman, he had five defensive rebounds and added in a couple blocks and a steal. In the game, he was able to get into good position and make plays cutting the basket off from the drive. Hopf is a tough freshman who has a nose for the ball and you could see that in this one against a more fluid player such as Middlesworth. A very good showing by the freshman.
Biggest Surprise: Oak Hill’s ability to break the press
Oak Hill was easily able to break the press and get good looks at the other end. It was almost like the press wasn’t even there. They would throw it in and give it right back to the inbounder who would then run to the other end with the ball. Forest Park was a little to aggressive in persuing the first pass which led to guys being wide open.
Top Performers:
Forest Park:
Curt Hopf – 10 points, 10 rebounds
Sam Englert – 8 points, 7 rebounds
Daniel Lusk – 7 points, 4 assists
Oak Hill:
Caleb Middlesworth – 25 points, 9 rebounds
David Arens – 13 points
Tyce Frank – 6 points, 6 assists
Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
Forest Park | 8 | 17 | 34 | 44 |
Oak Hill | 12 | 23 | 39 | 56 |