Baylor subs come in late in the game.
photo by Greg Davick
The Father Ryan Fightin' Irish claimed the 2001-2002 Division II State Basketball Championship title after falling just short last season. Father Ryan defeated Baylor 64-46 on Saturday at MTSU.
After leading for most of the first half the Red Raiders went into the second half with a 29-21 advantage that quickly dissolved. Father Ryan's offense chipped away at the eight point lead and within four minutes had taken a lead of their own. Although the Red Raiders never regained the lead Baylor evened up the score several times throughout the second half but never could regain the lead.
Father Ryan hit 2-9 three pointers in the first half and 4-9 in the second half. The Fightin' Irish also had 20 of their 32 rebounds in the second half. Baylor finished with 20 rebounds.
Tournament MVP Billy May was held to only four points in the first half, all from the charity stripe. He finished with 17 points including 2-4 three pointers and 7-7 free throws. May also had eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Dylan Lynch had 12 points, Everett Bills 11 and Chris Chauvin finished with 10.
Baylor was led in scoring by Willie Idlette and Jimi Wynn who both finished with 13 points. Josh Nelms had nine and Jonathan Adams had seven.
Looking at their record midway through the 2001-2002 Division II basketball season, not too many people would have placed the Baylor Red Raiders in the state championship on March 16.
But if you look at the losses, you may see a different picture. In the first week of January, Baylor lost by one to Father Ryan, by five to Bradley Central, by 10 to McCallie and by three to Notre Dame.
From the end of January to March 16, Baylor lost only three times. The Red Raiders fell by three to Cleveland, by two to McCallie and by 18 to Father Ryan in Saturday's title game.
Father Ryan came into Saturday's game with a record of 30-2.
Much of Baylor's successful turnaround is credited to their strong senior class. According to Coach Austin Clark the senior class is responsible for bringing Baylor's basketball team back to where it has been in the past. "I can't say enough about their effort. It's just persistence, and a great tribute to them and their families."
The seniors don't take all the credit. "We have all come together as a team." Jimi Wynn said. Willie Idlette agreed, "The underclassmen push us every day in practice. They helped us get here."
As Coach Clark explained, the final score isn't indicative of the game.
Baylor's senior Josh Nelms, who will be playing golf at MTSU next year, is proud of his team's season. "Even though we started out 3-8 this year, we started learning how to finish games and we started attacking the basket."
Even though the senior class isn't returning home with a championship trophy they are proud of being runner up.
"It was a great season." Ben Harris concluded.
"We are all winners in my book, we really came together as a team." Jimi Wynn said.
"It feels great to say we made it to the championship," said Willie Idlette.
Baylor's Road to the Title Game
DII East:
defeated McCallie 57-49
defeated Notre Dame 63-57
Sectional:
defeated Brentwood 52-50
State Tournament
defeated MBA 50-38
lost to Father Ryan 64-46
Father Ryan players on the Division II all tournament team included Dylan Lynch, Everett Bills, Billy May and Chris Chauvin, while Baylor placed Jonathan Adams, Willie Idlette and Josh Nelms. Also on the team were Adarius Bowman of Notre Dame and Brad French of MBA.
photo by TSAA