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Sports

Webster Nearly Topples Chaminade in Memorable Clash

In a tight district final, Chaminade uses 40 points from senior guard Bradley Beal to defeat Webster, 80-76.

In a high-caliber district final worthy of a state championship game, Chaminade used 40 points from senior guard Bradley Beal to defeat the Webster Groves Statesmen, 80-76, on Saturday afternoon at Webster’s Roberts Gymnasium.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys … they’re a great team, and hats off to Chaminade, but I could not be more proud of our team,” said Webster coach Jay Blossom, after the game.

Webster finishes its season with a record of 24-5, and bids farewell to a handful of seniors, who measured up to the winning tradition of the school.

Chaminade moves ahead to face Marquette in the sectionals of the state finals on Wednesday at UMSL.

“I knew it was going to be a great game,” said Chaminade coach Kelvin Lee. “Webster prepares their team very well, and I thought it could be a long fight, but the best team came out and won the game.”

Jason Meehan and Kendal Shell, both seniors, fouled out late in the game against Chaminade, and were forced to rely on their teammates to extend their Statesmen basketball careers.

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“I knew I had to take a foul, and I was only thinking about helping the team win,” said Shell, who had seven points in the loss.

Junior Rayshawn Simmons led the Statesmen in scoring with 33 points, and at many times the contest seemed like a matchup between he and Beal, as the players traded magnificent plays at both ends of the court.

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After a physical start to the game, in which Beal and senior Tevin Evans combined to put the Red Devils up 16-7 midway through the first quarter, Webster responded to the half-court press of Chaminade by handing the ball to Simmons, and getting more aggressive.

Simmons struck for a 3-pointer, and a trio of jumpers, to bring the score to 16-12. Then Shell managed a steal, and dished to senior Joe Henderson, who finished his layup to bring the Statesmen within two.

Chaminade led 19-18 at the end of the first quarter.

The game remained tight deep into the second quarter, when a series of personal and technical fouls produced a stoppage in play. After a personal foul by Meehan, Beal was called for a technical, and in the ensuing mayhem Henderson got into an altercation, and was called for a technical, and then ejected.

After the teams traded free throws, the Statesmen put together a 34-29 lead with two minutes to play in the half. Junior Peter Fairbanks hit a 3-pointer, and Webster threatened to extend the advantage, but Beal dramatically rejected a jumper by junior Demetrius Robinson to close the first half.

The second half was a display of athleticism and pure effort from Beal and Simmons. A parade of 3-pointers in the third quarter also featured a pair from Evans. Simmons responded by going on an individual nine-point run, only to see Beal strike from 3-point territory to make it 60-56 as the fourth quarter loomed.

Webster maintained a five-point lead deep into the final quarter, but as Beal and Evans combined to strike for four 3-pointers, the Red Devils slipped back into the lead, 77-76. Forced to foul with seconds left, Webster sent Beal to the line, where he made one of two free throws to put the game out of reach.

Blossom went on to single out Simmons’ performance as “phenomenal”.

“It’s a tough way to go out,” said Blossom.

Webster’s season ends with a dramatic loss to a team led by a St. Louis prep basketball legend in the making. It was a tough loss, indeed, but certainly one to remember.

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