The AGWSR boys basketball team put together one its most lopsided wins in recent history and dominated South Hamilton 68-31 in a 1A District 4 preliminary round playoff game Friday, as aired on 99 The Wave. It was the program’s first postseason win since 2021.
After an even first quarter, the Cougars outscored the Hawks 18-4 in the second quarter for a 28-14 halftime lead, and the lead never got smaller. They established the inside presence with freshman Chayton Smith, who poured in a career-high 25 points. They put the running clock rule in effect in the second half and emptied the bench, closing out the home schedule in style.
“We took advantage of our opportunities and were able to score in transition,” Head Coach Ryley Schipper says. “They tried to take Bo Starr away early with the box and one, and Bo did a really nice job screening for guys, getting other guys involved, which allowed us to open up the floor. Guys made shots tonight. So it was a lot of fun. We had to get settled in early in that first quarter, but once we got settled in and we really locked in defensively, I thought we controlled the pace, we controlled what we could do and for us that’s really really good. It’s two straight wins for us, which we haven’t done in a long time either. So I’m happy for the guys. I told the guys in the locker room that we’ve get a chance to go play the number one seed. A 16 seed has beaten a one seed in the NCAA tournament, so an eight seed can beat a one in the 1A tournament. It’s an opportunity, and for that, we’re grateful.”
Bo Starr added 13 points.
The Cougars have advanced to Monday’s first round game at #5 (1A) St. Edmond, which will air on 99 The Wave at 7:00 p.m.
Ryley Schipper interview:
