Hemingway tries to regain seat on Class A throne

COLUMBIA — Playing for a state championship has become the norm for Hemingway during coach Barry McFadden’s tenure.

But the Tigers are hoping to change one thing in this year’s Class A boys title game — the result.

After capturing the title in 2002, Hemingway has had a rough go since, losing in all three state championship game appearances.

Part of the reason came in the form of Calhoun County, a team that knocked Hemingway off in two title games and in the lower state championship last year.

The Saints won four straight state titles from 2006-2009, and had a 21-game postseason winning streak snapped in this year’s playoffs by C.E. Murray.

“We were just a part of their remarkable run,” McFadden said. “We weren’t the only ones that fell to them, and I think we played them hard and came close a few times. We just weren’t able to finish.”

The Tigers won’t have to worry about the Saints this year. And if that wasn’t reason enough to believe, the team standing in Hemingway’s way of another title is Great Falls, the last team the Tigers defeated to win a state championship.

Hemingway and Great Falls tip off today at 1:30 p.m at Colonial Life Arena, the Tigers’ fourth trip to Columbia in the last six years.

Unlike previous seasons, though, Hemingway is relying more on its depth than a few talented scorers. The Tigers go 12 deep, something that has helped keep the team fresh this season.

“I was here two years ago, and it’s a big difference when you can let the starting five catch their breath a lot more in games like this,” senior Jazjuan Wilson said. “All the guys can come in now and they know exactly what to do.”

The added depth has come because of finally getting the feeder programs on the same page as the varsity squad, McFadden said.

“Our middle school and our JV programs all run what we run, so it’s easier for kids to step in and know what to do right off the bat,” McFadden said.

The deep bench also has added a new dimension to Hemingway’s pressure defense.

“It helps a lot down the stretch,” senior Quintin Brown said. “Any time you can get fresh legs out there on defense, it really makes the other team force the ball a lot and turn it over.”

Brown leads the Tigers with 14 points a game followed by Wilson with 13 points (14 rebounds) and Jalil Brown with 11. The Tigers also have several players averaging between seven and 10 points, creating a balanced roster and one hard to defend.

“We never know who’s going to lead us in scoring,” senior Shaquille Wells said. “We’ve had games where the starting five have had big games and others where guys came off the bench to score 20 points or more.

“That kind of scoring is hard to defend.”

Great Falls is led by Torrey Craig’s 23.8 points per game. The Red Devils have just one other player averaging double figures in Xavier Holmes (11.6).

“I think the biggest thing is going to be, can they handle the pressure all night?” McFadden said. “Can they handle it with just eight or nine guys and with us playing 12? If we can force them to turn the ball over, I think we have an excellent chance.

“If they can handle the pressure, it could be a long night.”