Maplewood falls to Chanel in OT

By Jon moffett

jmoffett@vindy.com

CANTON

Many fans saw the Division IV regional semifinal between Maplewood High and Bedford Chanel thinking of a blowout in favor of the Rockets.

But four quarters and one overtime period later, the Rockets had fizzled out and were defeated 65-55 thanks to a late ignition by the Firebirds.

Chanel (13-11) looked like a severe underdog and a mismatch on paper.

But Maplewood coach Matt Urchek knew games aren’t played on paper.

“Their record is deceiving,” he said. “We never look at the record as any factor whatsoever. We know the teams they played.”

Fans were on the edge of their seats for the final few minutes and entire overtime. Clutch free throws from each side provided movie-like drama and excitement.

Trailing by two points with only 0.9 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Maplewood senior Alex Doneyko stood at the free throw line anticipating his two attempts.

He sank both and sent the game into the extra period.

Unfortunately, the Rockets burned out in the extra frame, and were outscored 14-4.

“I knew we had it in us to come back, but I think we just ran out of gas in overtime,” Urchek said. “They had a few more substitutions and were a little bit physically stronger and were able to handle a more physical game.”

The Rockets (18-6) entered the Canton Fieldhouse on an impressive season that began with a 4-3 record.

But the logo at center court may as well have read Upset City to Chanel.

The win wasn’t easy by any means. The Firebirds were down by seven points at halftime.

But a 10-0 run early in the third quarter gave Chanel a three-point advantage. Head coach Bernie Tarr said it was just another typical game for his young squad.

“We’re a young team and in tournament you just want to survive for another day,” he said. “It wasn’t pretty.”

Coincidentally, Tarr’s career began in the same way as its most recent achievement. Tarr started his career as a coach 17 years ago at Badger with a win over Maplewood.

But Tarr showed his respect and admiration for the Rockets.

“I really feel for them, being from the area,” Tarr said. “Those guys from Maplewood were playing for all the guys who wore that uniform since their last district championship. We knew we were going to get not just their players’ best performances but an aura of community pride.”

“I gave them a ton of props for those kids. I know it has to be hard to lose in overtime, but those kids wheeled those pressure free throws.”

Another player who showed his cool in a pressure situation was Chanel sophomore Zarrell Patton. Patton hit two 3-pointers in the overtime period and was third on the team with 11 points.

“Opportunity knocked for him in overtime and he stepped up big,” said Tarr of Patton.

Also showing his deep-ball skills was Chanel junior Anthony DeBaltzo, who made three shots from beyond the arc. He scored 15 of his game-high 20 points in the second half, two of which were in overtime.

But simply getting to overtime seemed like an ordeal within itself for Maplewood, who was down by six with about a minute left.

Doneyko made all four of his free throws. Two came with 9.9 left and

“He’s a kid who’s probably been envisioning this since he was a little kid,” Urchek said. “I told him this is what he’d been looking for. And he was able to knock them down not only once, but twice.”

Urchek said Doneyko shot only 60 percent from the charity stripe last season, but had improved that figure to about 80 percent this year.

Tarr too was quick to compliment Doneyko.

“Doneyko is a [heck of a] player,” he said.