2017 South-Central Border League Champions- the Caldwell Bluejays.

by James Jordan, Sumner Newscow — Caldwell overcame a 10-point third quarter deficit to beat Sedan 58-52 in the finals of the SCBL tournament in Arkansas City Saturday.

The Bluejays had trouble hitting shots in the first half, and trailed by 10 in the second quarter as well, but trimmed the lead to six at the half.

Coach Jason Marlin said his team finally relaxed and played the way it is capable of playing. That was the case in two games of this tournament, so it was significant.

“This is the way we can play when we relax and just play,” Marlin said. “We did that some tonight.”

Sedan was a much taller team, and dominated the boards for much of the game, but Caldwell got rebounds in the second half.

Marlin said this should give them confidence going forward, and especially once the post season gets here, because they will see more teams with big lineups.

In the third quarter, Sedan’s Alex Burger hit two 3-pointers, and led a rally that put the Blue Devils up by 10. Caldwell stormed back, and a 3-pointer by Corbin Rice at the buzzer cut the deficit to two.

“That was a huge shift in momentum,” Marlin said. “From there we had more energy, energy we didn’t even have at the start of the game.”

To start the fourth, Dilyn Volavka converted a three-point play to give Caldwell its first lead since very early in the game. Caldwell went on a 9-2 run then to take a five point lead. Rice hit another three, and Volavka hit back-to-back baskets and Caldwell led by seven with a minute and a half left.

Colten Ward was 4-of-4 at the free throw line down the stretch to help preserve the win.

Volvka finished with 18 points, and 11 of those came in the fourth quarter. Jalen Risley added 11 for Caldwell.  Rice had nine, all on 3-pointers. Ward finished with 10.

Kiefer Brewer had 22 for Sedan and Alex Burger added 13.

Argonia’s Cora Vineyard (14) possesses the ball against Caldwell.

Girls third place game – Argonia 43, Caldwell 28

Argonia broke open a close game in the fourth quarter to beat Caldwell 43-28 Saturday in the SCBL tournament in Arkansas City. Argonia led by 10 at the half, but Caldwell rallied in the third quarter, and cut the deficit to five. Argonia managed to get back ahead by seven as the fourth quarter started.

Argonia hit eight of 12 foul shots down the stretch to seal the win.

Cora Vineyard had 22 for Argonia. Jesse Tracy has 13, making seven of eight free throws and two 3-pointers.

Hanna Stuewe had 10 for Caldwell and Katie Schmidt had nine.

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