Whitehall advances at district tournament

After falling in overtimes in both of their regular season games against rival Jefferson, the third time was a charm for the Whitehall High School boys basketball. The sixth-seeded Trojans defeated the Panthers 36-23 Thursday night in the first round of the 5B District Tournament and will now move on to semifinals and a matchup Friday at 4:30 against second-seeded Manhattan.

It was a magical fourth quarter for Whitehall who outscored Jefferson 12-0.

Following the victory, an ecstatic Head Coach Zach McLean praised the fight of his team and said the victory was all about them.

"They executed, they believed in themselves, they kept fighting when things were not going good. To hold a team to zero points in the fourth quarter. That's pretty good. They really bought into the defensive side," he said.

The opening quarter was a low-scoring affair with Whitehall taking a 7-5 lead late in the quarter on a three-pointer from sophomore standout Brendan Wagner.

The Trojans opened the second quarter with two baskets from Hayden Hoagland to take an 11-7 lead. Second-seeded Jefferson would answer with answer back with five straight points to take an 12-11 lead before Dylan Smith hit a basket and the ensuing free throw to give the Trojans a 14-12 lead with 2:30 left in the half. Wagner would hit a 15-foot jumper on the next possession to push the lead to 16-12. Neither team would score again in the half with the Trojans maintaining the four-point lead.

The Panthers would open the third with a 5-0 run before Smith scored the first Whitehall basket of the third quarter with 2:48 left. He was also fouled on the play and connected his free throw to help Whitehall retain the lead 19-17. Smith would connect on the next Trojans after another Jefferson foul. He would miss the free throw, but the basket did push the lead to 21-17. Avery Stiles would back to back threes with under a minute left to give the Panthers a 23-21 lead. Wagner would bank in a shot at the buzzer to give Whitehall the lead back 24-23 going into the fourth and final quarter.

Wagner would score the first points of the fourth on another three to push the Trojans lead to 27-23 with 5:52 left in the game. Wagner would find Smith on the next Whitehall possession to push the lead to 29-23.

Wagner kept up his hot shooting and his corner three pushed the lead to 32-23 with four minutes remaining. Kenzie Hugulet would connect on two consecutive free throws to give Whitehall at 34-23 lead with under two minutes remaining. Smith would once again connect inside and was once again fouled. The basket put the Trojans up 36-23 with under a minute left.

Wagner and Smith each had 14 for Whitehall.

McLean lauded the play of both.

"He (Brendan) hit some dagger shots for sure. He's a heck of a shooter. I challenged Dylan and he did what I asked," McLean said.

Hoagland added four and Hugulet had two.