ELKHART — It was a lot like the first meeting, and everything that anybody would have expected but Plymouth’s season came to an end with a sectional loss to Northridge 58-57.
The first time, the Pilgrims fell on a miracle last second shot at Middlebury. This time the Pilgrims would fight back for a chance at the last second heroics but couldn’t make it happen as the Raiders turned away two chances to at least tie and won their 11th game in a row.
“I told our guys that we played well enough to win,” said Plymouth coach Ryan Bales. “The big stat was offensive rebounds. We gave up 12. The other thing was the kick out threes they hit. We had the stops but they’d come reckless flying in there, intensity is a good word. I’d use that on the offensive boards with them.”
Plymouth played an inspired first half in spite of the energy and intensity of the Raider defense. With Nate Bowman completely draping Clay Hilliard and Sam Vogt doing the same to Jake Reichard, the Pilgrims found and answer in Tim Tremaine.
Coming in off the bench, the Plymouth senior buried the first touch he had for a crucial three from the corner and went on to hit 11 key first half points, leading the Pilgrims to a 28-23 lead at half.
“You have to give Tremaine a lot of credit,” said Bales. “The way they were playing defense they had the triangle and two going, (Joe) Barron has given us some great minutes over the year but we just needed another scorer. We needed a shooter out there and Tim and (Adam) Hunter gave us some great minutes.”
Northridge cut the lead back out of the locker room but the Pilgrims jumped right back to an eight point lead, and seemed to be on the verge of taking control of the game when Jake Reichard picked up his third foul.
“We panicked a little bit there and let them back in the game,” said Bales. “We had an eight point lead in the third quarter. We didn’t respond in a positive way to the pressure. Those were key turnovers in possession game like that.”
“We had to take Jake (Reichard) out of the game at that point and he played with a lot of guts for us,” said Bales. “They just pounced on that. We had to get him out with foul trouble and we had a lead and we just got sped up.”
With Reichard on the bench, Northridge doubled the defensive intensity and gave Plymouth no end of trouble controlling the ball. The Raiders were able to force four turnovers in a very short span and retake the lead. Plymouth would lead again only once more.
Along with Tremaine, senior Cole Filson had 10 points and five rebounds and five assists. Ending his outstanding career at Plymouth Clay Hilliard hit for 14 points in spite of the complete attention of the Northridge defense.
Reichard came alive in the second half slashing to the basket for 14 points.
“Jake had a great sectional for us,” said Bales. “He played really well on Wednesday night and I think his confidence level helps him a lot in pressure situations.”
Plymouth ends their season at 15-9. Northridge will play Saturday night against Warsaw for the sectional final.
•NORTHRIDGE 58, PLYMOUTH 57
at North Side Gym
Northridge 12 11 17 18 – 58
Plymouth 17 11 12 17 – 57
Northridge (58) – Bowman 2 2-2 8, Stoltzfus 3 2-3 8, Vogt 2 0-1 4, Knepp 2 0-0 4, Smith 4 2-3 13, Erekson 3 2-2 10, Stauffer 3 4-5 11. Totals 19 12-16 58.
Plymouth (57) – Hunter 2 0-1 6, Hilliard 4 2-3 14, Carmichael 0 0-0 0, Filson 3 4-4 10, Reichard 4 4-4 14, Tremaine 4 0-0 11, Dolan 0 0-0 0, Barron 0 0-0 0, Himes 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 10-12 57.
3 Pt. FG – Northridge 8-26 (Smith 3), Plymouth 11-27 (Hilliard 4).
Rebounds – Northridge 28 (Stauffer 9), Plymouth 23 Filson 5).
Assists – Northridge 12 (Vogt 4), Plymouth 17 (Filson 5).
Steals – Northridge 9 (Stoltfus 5), Plymouth 4 Filson 2).
Turnovers – Northridge 10, Plymouth 11.
Fouls (Fouled out) – Northridge 12, Plymouth 11.
