Chiefs win district, head to playoffs

Even with a broken nose, an injury from practice the day before, senior Bryan Sander racked up 20 points to lead the Chiefs to their first district title since 2002. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Wellington-Napoleon had lost its two meetings with Santa Fe -- whose average scoring margin this season was exactly plus-30 points per game -- by a combined 19 points, and those only decided during the fourth quarter.

The Tigers, in other words, held no fear in their hearts -- and played that way during a hard-fought 59-51 loss.

"The intensity was high all night," noted Chiefs senior Ben Catlett. "We came out too high, but once we came down we stepped it up on defense and it gave us a big lift."

Wellington scored seven straight points midway through the first quarter, including a conventional three-point play by senior Cameron Seitz and sophomore Blake Seitz' transition bucket, which would set the pattern for much of the game.

Senior Taylor Wesley hit from the high post and senior Bryan Sander downed a baseline 10-footer as Santa Fe went in front for about three minutes during the second period, but a three-pointer and breakaway bucket by senior Brett Williams in the final minute of the half put the Tigers in front by three points.

"We weren't getting out in transition and allowed them to get into their half-court defensive set," Chiefs head coach Travis Zahl explained. "That was a recipe for disaster. They were imposing their will on us."

Santa Fe kept playing catch-up through all but the final minute of the third quarter, although never facing a deficit of more than four points. Williams twice connected from outside and had 10 points during the period.

"They were running the point off a double screen and our kids were getting caught too low," Zahl said. During the fourth quarter, when Wellington missed four of five three-point attempts, "we were closing out their shooters a little better."

The Chiefs closed the third period with a 7-1 run, senior Lucas Brandt hitting from the elbow and Sander canning another short jumper, to take a two-point lead into the final frame.

"They were really pressuring us," Brandt said. "Whenever you do that, you'll leave people open. Luckily, we hit a couple of good shots."

Brandt struck from 12 feet to open the fourth quarter, then completed a three-point play for a 46-40 Santa Fe lead with 6:29 left in the game.

The Chiefs only managed one free throw during the next three minutes, allowing Wellington to close the gap to one point with 4:13 remaining when senior Joey Mulheron followed two charity shots with a lay-up.

However, that would be the Tigers' last field goal until a late Williams bomb, by which time they were down by 10 points. Catlett came up with a pair of steals, senior Brett Case finished what for him was a rare baseline drive, Wesley got in the lane for a baby hook and Sander found the mark from the elbow.

Although Santa Fe was an unimpressive eight of 18 from the free-throw stripe during the fourth period -- that a too-common practice which cost them their last loss, in double overtime to Sacred Heart in the Slater Tournament semifinals Jan. 29 -- it was enough to widen the margin down the stretch.

"We've been shooting them better of late," Zahl said. "A game of this high of intensity we hadn't seen this year, so maybe the next time they can relax and knock down those shots."

Williams led all scorers with 23 points for Wellington-Napoleon (23-5).

Sander paced the Chiefs (26-2) with 20 points, despite wearing a facemask to protect a nose which was broken in practice the previous day. Brandt, playing with a 102-degree fever, added 15 points -- which didn't surprise Zahl. "Lucas Brandt at 75 percent is still an all-conference player."

Santa Fe's 12th straight win put it into the playoffs -- and a sectional clash Wednesday at Trenton against Penney High of Hamilton -- for the first time since 2002, when it lost the state title game to Bell City, 88-68. Since then, there's been plenty of heartache for the Chiefs, including a pair of last-second losses in the district finals -- to Kingsville (54-52) in 2005 and Concordia (45-44) last year.

Catlett started as a freshman on a 1-22 squad which didn't win a league game, and has now come full circle with conference and district championships.

"It means so much," he remarked. "We've taken our share of beatings, and it made us tougher. Experience paid off."