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Brzuchowski erupts for 35 as Panthers knock off Everton in district tourney OT thriller, 78-73
NEVADA, Mo. — Several weeks ago Sheldon Panthers’ 6-foot-2 junior forward Dylan Brzuchowski wasn’t even a top three scoring option on the team.
Since late January, however, Brzuchowski has asserted himself as Sheldon’s most potent offensive weapon, having now exploded for 35 points in two of the past three contests. His most recent heroics lifted the sixth-seeded Panthers to a 78-73 overtime victory over No. 3 Everton in the opening-round of the Class 1 District 5 basketball tournament Wednesday night at Nevada Middle School.
Charles Harden’s third quarter 3-point barrage put Everton in control with a 50-37 lead midway through the third. The Panthers were able to quickly erase the deficit, thanks to the inside-play of Brzuchowski and fellow 6-4 forward Jason Leavell, as well as timely 3-point shooting from sophomore guard Isaac Hall.
Sheldon trailed by eight entering the fourth, but stayed within striking distance courtesy of a 5-0 spurt to open the frame. Already livid with his squad’s inability to defend the 3-point line, Sheldon head coach Jacob Well could only look on as Everton point guard Cory Brewer began to heat up from long-range. Brewer’s second 3-ball of the frame pushed Everton in front, 58-52.
After struggling with his shot for the first three quarters Hall found his stroke in the fourth, as back-to-back triples knotted the contest at 58-apiece with 5:45 remaining in regulation.
Leveall, known more for his inside presence, drilled a three from the top of the key, handing the Panthers a 61-58 lead at the midpoint of the fourth. Sheldon senior floor-general Clayton Loyd, then capped the Panthers’ 11-0 blitz with a blow-by lay-in that originated from the left wing, as Sheldon led by five at the 3:40 mark.
Sheldon appeared to be in firm control, as Brzuchowski’s transition lay-in with 1:58 remaining put the Panthers up 65-60. Sheldon, however, was unable to close out, as a Brewer mid-range jumper, followed by a Harden triple from the left corner, tied the contest at 65 with 1:27 to play.
After a defensive hold Everton was back in possession. They elected to milk 30 seconds off the clock before settling for an out-of-control drive just before the fourth quarter horn sounded. The wildly off-target attempt from close-range sent the game into overtime.
The Panthers opened the four-minute extra session on a high-note, as Hall’s slashing drive-and-dish to Brzuchowski for the lay-in put the Panthers in front, 67-65. From there it was the Brzuchowski and Leveall show, as the formidable inside duo man-handled Everton in the low-post. Brzuchowski dropped in eight of his 35 in OT, while Leavell came up with a traditional three-point play during a critical early juncture of the extra frame.
Consecutive Brzuchowski buckets swelled the Panthers’ advantage to 77-67 with a minute remaining. Everton replied, but their 6-1 run wasn’t enough, as the Panthers held on for the dramatic postseason victory.
Brzuchowski paced the Panthers with a monster 35 point, 15 rebound effort. Leavell, meanwhile, chipped in 22 points, while Hall tallied 10.
“I felt confident about us closing the game out, because I have three seniors, a junior and a sophomore out there who have been in big moments like this before,” said an elated Well.
Despite a solid regular-season, and looking to make a repeat trip to the Class 1 State tournament, Well said that neither he nor his club felt disrespected after being slotted with the No. 6 seed.
“It’s just a number,” summed up the first-year head coach. “We’re just here to play basketball, and the only thing that matters is that we won, 78-73.”
Said Well of Brzuchowski’s spectacular performance: “Man, he’s turned it on the last two to three weeks. He’s been averaging over 20 points a game. After I inserted him into the starting lineup, he took off.”
The victory advances Sheldon (15-10) to the semifinals, where they’re set to clash with No. 2 Lockwood (15-10). The contest is slated for 7:30 p.m. tonight at Nevada Middle School. Lockwood advanced to the semifinals after drubbing No. 7 Exeter, 76-59, Monday night.
In other Class 1 District 5 action Monday evening top-seeded Golden City rocked No. 8 Bronaugh, 75-18. The loss concludes Bronaugh’s season at 2-22 overall. In the No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup, fifth-seeded McAuley Catholic sprung the mild upset of Dadeville, 54-50.