Ravens Reel in Saints

There were times Monday night when it looked like this was Seward’s year. The Saints built first half eight point leads of 15-7, 18-10, and 20-12. They led 47-37 in the second half. They did so with ferocious defensive translating into an offensive explosion in transition. But when Seward wasn’t in transition, their halfcourt offense looked like it was stuck in quicksand. And then there’s Coffeyville, an undersized but potent offensive attack. The Red Ravens outscored Seward at the three point line 33-9. That was the difference in Monday night’s Region 6 Championship game at Koch Arena in Wichita as the Red Ravens won 73-69 to advance to Hutchinson for the sixth time under Jay Herkelman. The game was tied at 59 with 1:30 to go before Neil Watson calmly drained a three pointer. The Saints then turnved the ball over and Kevin Broussard hit a crushing three pointer to make it 66-59 with 1:04 to play. A couple of Jeremy Jone three’s actually brought the game within three with six seconds left, but Coffeyville went 14-17 at the free throw line. Seward outrebounded the Ravens 46-37 and held the Ravens to 38 percent shooting. Seward also shot 39 percent but Coffeyville was just a little more potent on offense with 11 3’s while Seward made three and two of those were in desparation late in the game. Jeremy Jones and Daveon Boardingham scored 17 a piece and were both named all tournment. Marky Nolen added 12 points and 12 rebounds. Seward finishes 27-7. It;s only the second time the Saints have finished runner up in the region. The other time was in 2002 when they lost the Herkelman’s Ravens in Salina.