Johnson right on

Branson junior forward Mike Wiebe’s 17 points helped the Pirates earn a berth in tonight’s Class 4 District 11 championship game against Republic. The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. Branson hasn’t won a district title since 1962.

BDN photo
by Pat Dailey

By Pat Dailey
BDN Sports Editor
pdailey@bransondailynews.com

Here’s a terrific trivia teaser sure to stump anyone who witnessed Branson escape with a 65-47 Class 4 District 11 semifinal triumph over Reeds Spring on Wednesday:

How many second-half points did Pirates guard Matt Johnson score?

Surprisingly, Johnson only had six points after halftime to cap his 11-point effort. But the timing of his his six points made them seem monumental and had fans treating him like a savior afterward on a night in which the rest of Branson’s starting five was mired in foul trouble.

Johnson hit two layups and a pair of free throws to answer a Wolves rally that tied the score at 37-all with 3:30 to play in the third quarter.

“Matt came through big,” forward Mike Wiebe said.

“With Mike and me on the bench, he took over the scoring,” guard Tate Unruh added. “We set a high screen for him and he kept going inside and getting layups or drawing fouls.”

It seemingly took Wiebe and Unruh both being saddled with three fouls for Johnson to look to assert himself. The team’s point has been has been asked repeatedly by coach Randy Bishop to be a bit more selfish and look for his own shot.

“I’ve been asking him to do more of that,” Bishop said. “Sometimes, he waits for Tate and Mike to do the scoring. He has to score, and he made big shots tonight.”

Johnson went to his right each time on his way to the bucket.

“I can go to my left, too, but I was surprised they were letting me go right,” Johnson said. “That’s my strong hand. I kept going to my right because it kept working for me.”

Added Wolves center Jake Marty: “He’s quick and is tough to guard. But we didn’t have anybody take a charge, like we should have, and he took control of the game.”

Neither team played close to its usual standards. The Pirates (21-4) couldn’t find a flow while being hindered by fouls.

“We got a big lead, but blew it and couldn’t get our rhythm back,” Wiebe said.

Reeds Spring (11-13) turned the ball over on eight of its first nine possessions, as the Wolves spotted the hosts a 10-0 lead. Upon tying the score at 37, they could have built a lead. But they rushed their shots at that point.

“Everyone was jittery,” forward Owen Allphin said. “I think a lot of it was because we haven’t been here before, in a district semifinal. We weren’t used to this atmosphere.”

“We aren’t there mentally, yet,” added Marty.

Branson was hoping for a chance for revenge and have a district title matchup with Rogersville tonight. But the Wildcats fell to Republic 49-46.

REEDS SPRING (47) — Kuehn 1 0-0 2, Besperat 3 1-2 8, Allphin 4 0-2 8, Selby 0 2-02 2, Jones 1 0-0 2, Davis 6 4-5 18, Marty 1 5-6 7. Totals 16 12-17 47.

BRANSON (65) — Johnson 5 0-0 11, Brezevar 1 1-2 3, Bell 0 1-2 1, Westcot 0 0-1 0, Unruh 4 0-0 11, Wiebe 5 4-5, 17, Richey 0 1-2 1, Bowling 4 1-2 9, Fletcher 6 0-1 12. Totals25 8-15 65.

Reeds Spring 9 23 9 6 — 47

Branson 27 12 6 20 — 65

3-point goals — Wiebe 3, Unruh 3, Davis 2, Besperat.