CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Spring Mills boys basketball coach Shannon Layton says the Cardinals never cease to amaze him.
Based on Friday’s performance against Morgantown in a Class AAAA semifinal, it’s not difficult to see why.
The No. 3 Cardinals shot an astounding 30 for 42 from the field and 11 for 17 from three-point range, while using a dominant second quarter to gain separation in what amounted to a 73-57 win over the second-seeded Mohigans at the Charleston Coliseum.
“When any team plays us in a zone, they know exactly what to do,” Layton said. “Move the ball, get in the gaps and get the ball to the middle. We try to get paint touches and they move the ball well. They executed flawlessly tonight.”
The result allows SMHS (21-2) to play No. 1 George Washington in the state title game for a second straight season.
Spring Mills led 13-11 through one quarter and Xavier Anderson helped set the tone for the Cardinals’ dominant second quarter with a dunk 15 seconds into the frame.
MetroNews broadcast interview with Spring Mills’ Shannon Layton after the Cardinals 73-57 win over Morgantown in the Class AAAA semifinals: #wvprepbb pic.twitter.com/9XGSIPoMpr
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Shortly after, Tyler Jones made a three, teammate Akwasi Opoku-Achampong followed suit and the advantage was up to eight.
Opoku-Achampong went on to make two more treys that quarter, including one just before time expired that capped a 24-point frame for his team, which led 37-22 at halftime.
“I trust my work I put in through the summer and all the years,” Opoku-Achampong said. “My teammates know the work I put in, too. I’m going to shoot if I’m open.”
The Cardinals were 10 for 13 from the field in the second quarter and made 4-of-6 threes.
“That’s one of the most impressive performances I’ve seen down here,” MHS coach Dave Tallman said. “They’re a really tough matchup for us, so we tried to go to some zone and things, but they made us pay. We missed some coverages and when they get loose, they’re going to knock them down.”
Morgantown, meanwhile, was 10 for 25 and did not make a three on six attempts over the first two quarters.
“At this level, we have to let our defense create our offense,” Layton said. “These guys are still young men and they’re still nervous like anybody else. I always tell them a good way to get rid of butterflies is to get after them on defense. The goal is to hold them to 10 each quarter.”
Spring Mills hardly cooled off to start the second half and got a Jones triple along with one from K’nes Stovall for a 43-24 advantage.
It was the start of a memorable quarter for Stovall, who scored eight points in less than 3 minutes later that period, which he finished with 11 points and three triples.
“K’Nes has really come along. He’s a gym rat,” Jones said. “We instilled the confidence in him and we have trust in him to make it. I’m super proud of him.”
In turn, Spring Mills continued to open up its lead, which was 58-36 entering the fourth. The Cardinals were 24 for 33 from the field over the first 24 minutes.
Stovall led five double-figure scorers in the win with 19 points. Tyler Jones added 16, Opoku-Achampong scored 15, Chase Jones finished with 13 and Anderson contributed 10.
“Anderson was a great facilitator when we doubled Akwasi and got the ball out of his hands,” Tallman said. “They have a really high IQ. That’s a heck of a team.”
Waylon Colistra led the Mohigans (21-3) with 17 points and Kai Henkins scored 10 off the bench.
“I love my seniors,” Tallman said. “This is our sixth straight semifinal appearance. We don’t take that for granted.”