MORRISON Standing closer to the scorers table than he was to the 3-point arc, Newmans Eli Leffelman banked in a 3-pointer as time expired in the 2A Morrison Regional championship game on Friday night.

On the Comets previous possession, Brady Osborne knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Those long-range shots were more the exception than the rule for Newman, as the Comets missed most of their 3-point chances and fell to the Indians 67-66.

The Comets were just 1-of-6 from 3-point range in the first half, missing the first five before Kyle Schmitt knocked one down with 2:40 remaining in the half. Cade Gorzny added another 3-pointer early in the third, but those were the only two the Comets would hit until the final minute.

With the long-range shot off the mark, the Comets looked for other ways to score.

We had to execute our plays better and start running them through three, four sides, Comets forward Travis Williams said. They did a great job of defending the 3 tonight, but we just had to execute better. We did a better job of that, but we came up short at the end.

Newmans shooting improved, from 7-of-26 (27 percent) from the field in the first half to 13-of-29 (45 percent) in the second half.

The first half, we forced some shots and didnt let the game come to us, Newman coach Ray Sharp said. Sometimes in big games, people try to do too much. We just had to settle down and execute. I thought we did a better job of that in the second half, but we dug too big of a hole and couldnt quite get out of it.

With Newman down 35-23 at halftime, Leffelman began driving to the rim, hitting back-to-back layups to open the third quarter. Williams, Gorzny and John Wilson also hit layups in the third quarter, as the Comets chipped away at the Indians lead, getting within four points.

Several times in the fourth quarter, the Comets were within a single possession. Leffelman hit a free throw with just under 3 minutes to play to cut the deficit to 55-52, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but could not connect on an off-balance shot in the lane.

Moments later, Leffelman converted a three-point play to cut the deficit to 57-55. Devon House hit a pair of free throws to cut it to 63-60. After Osbornes 3-pointer, the deficit was 66-63.

But after each of those baskets, Winnebago came through from the free-throw line. The Indians converted 14-of-20 free throws in the fourth quarter, and 20-of-26 in the game.

We hit our free throws, which helped us a lot, and our defense also kind of buckled down, Winnebago center Andrew Morrissey said. We just kept our composure and played our game.

Morrissey finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Indians. He scored 13 of his points in the first half, mostly on putbacks and post moves, then shot 7-of-10 from the free throw line in the second half.

We tried to make sure he couldnt go low on us, make him turn to the middle, Sharp said. He got low about three times the first half and hurt us. Hes just too big to get around, youll never get back to the shot.

The last of Morrisseys free throws came with 4 seconds left to give Winnebago a four-point lead, causing Leffelmans ensuing 3-pointer at the buzzer to only draw the Comets closer, not tie the game.

Newman (25-5) got off to a quick start thanks to its defense. The Comets swiped four steals in Winnebagos first five possessions, three of them by Leffelman, and jumped out to a 6-2 lead.

I dont know why, but we did some crossovers right smack in front of them, Winnebago coach Joe Murphy said. Its easy picks of the pocket. I tried to get the guys out real quick and just settle them down. We told them not to mess with the ball, just go to the rim.

The Indians (17-11) settled in, and the Comets began to struggle with their shooting. Winnebago went on a 17-2 run as Kenzell Jones hit a pair of 3-pointers and added a steal and layup. Meanwhile, Newman went through a stretch of shooting 1-of-12 from the field.

Facing a 19-8 deficit after one, the Comets turned to Williams on the low post, and in the first 2 minutes of the second quarter, he scored eight points to get the Comets back within five.

I knew I had to come out and play really hard in the second quarter, Williams said. I just trust my teammates, and I just turned it on and started to go. I got settled in, and I just started doing my thing.

However, Winnebago answered with an 11-0 run to close the half.

Williams finished the game with 16 points.

Jones scored 17, and Ty Waller had 12 for Winnebago.

Boys basketball

2A Morrison Regional final

Winnebago 67, Newman 66

Star of the game: Andrew Morrissey, Winnebago, 22 points, 14 rebounds

Key performers: Eli Leffelman, Newman, 23 points; Travis Williams, Newman, 16 points, 8 rebounds; Kenzell Jones, Winnebago, 17 points

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Comets' comeback falls short in final - SaukValley.com