Published: March 01, 2008 01:08 am            

CLASS 3A: Charlestown cruises past Crawford County

RAMSEY — If Charlestown’s first postseason game was meant for the history books, this one was meant for the highlight reel.

Fresh off Tuesday’s unforgettable double-overtime victory over Salem, the Pirates avoided any hangover from the big win and dumped Crawford County 85-68 in the first semifinal of the Class 3A North Harrison Sectional on Friday night.

The last obstacle between the Pirates and a sectional crown will be Silver Creek, a 54-43 winner over Corydon in the night’s second matchup.

Class 3A No. 10 Charlestown (19-3) continued its revenge-minded path through the bracket, finishing the feud with Salem — the team with which it shared the Mid-Southern Conference title — and making right a disappointing first effort against the Wolfpack (5-16). The Pirates beat Crawford at home on Feb. 19, 55-44, one game after beating the Lions the first time to capture their share of the MSC crown.

“We played much better against them this time,” said Charlestown coach Sean Smith. “Overall, it was a solid effort. We talked a lot about having a letdown, because last time we didn’t respond well to a big win.”

The Pirates asserted themselves early, ending Crawford’s hope of the upset with two big runs.

The Wolfpack hung around for the first eight minutes, withstanding 10 first-quarter points from Clayton Merschbrock and trailing just 21-15 at the first break.

But as the Charlestown defense clamped down, the offense heated up, resulting in a 14-2 Pirate run even with starters Bowman Thrasher and Jordan Copeland on the bench with two fouls. Stephen Grayson kicked out to Chad Brady for a 3 that opened the flurry, which also included a picture-perfect dish-off from reserve guard Terry Crenshaw to Zach Merschbrock for a layup, and a long jumper from Grayson.

Crawford’s frustration boiled over when its bench was called for a technical foul with 2:35 left in the first half, at which point the Wolfpack had yet to score a field goal.

The Pirates, normally a team that uses the 6-foot-5 Thrasher and 6-6 Zach Merschbrock to grind it out in the halfcourt, also picked up the pace, repeatedly beating Crawford back in transition. Grayson found Brady for two easy layups to close the second quarter with Ctown up 44-24.

“It’s sectional,” said Grayson, who had eight points and five assists. “We can’t have a letdown. You lose and it’s over, and it means to much to the seniors.”

Charlestown picked up where it left off after the intermission, putting together a 12-2 run. Most of the Pirate baskets came on easy layups, as the Pirates continually made the extra pass and hit 9-of-11 third-quarter shots.

Things got rough in the third frame, as both teams were called for intentional fouls and three straight 3-pointers from Crawford reserve Richard Edwards momentarily closed the gap to 62-43.

That’s as close as Crawford would get until the final two minutes, as each Pirate starter was replaced to a big ovation from a large contingent of Charlestown fans.

Clayton Merschbrock led Charlestown with 21 points, hitting all nine of his field goal attempts. Zach Merschbrock, who poured in 30 points on Tuesday, still finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Nine Pirates found the scoring column in the win.

“We have lots of weapons,” Smith said. “On any night, any guy can have his day in the sun. Tonight, Clayton played a strong game, but Zach did a nice job of being patient and picking the right moment to score. I told them if we were patient, we’d find a way to score.”

Charlestown, which had not won a sectional game in eight years, will make its first appearance in the finals since the 2000 team made the regional round.

The final will also represent another chance for Charlestown to tie up some loose ends. The Pirates, winners of 13 straight games, lost to the Dragons in overtime on Nov. 24 in their MSC opener. A loss that ended up being the season Charlestown shared the title with Salem.

“It just comes down to how determined they are to win and how bad they want it,” Smiths said. “Silver Creek has already beaten us, and it’s going to be a tough game.”



CRAWFORD CO 15 9 21 23—68

CHARLESTOWN 21 23 24 17— 85

Crawford County (5-16) — Curl 4, Benham 2, Crecelius 0, Bowling 14, Bowles 11, Edwards 14, Allen 6, Griffith 9, Griswold 5, Roberts 3, Wiseman 0, Newkirk 0.

Charlestown (19-3) — Copeland 7, C. Merschbrock 21, Grayson 8, Z. Merschbrock 13, Thrasher 6, Williams 3, Wyatt 0, Vest 0, Brady 7, Crenshaw 8, Chastain 12.

Three-point field goals — Crawford County 6 (Edwards 4, Allen 2); Charlestown 5 (Chastain 2, Williams, Brady, Copeland).

Rebounds — Crawford County 21 (Bowles 5); Charlestown 30 (Z. Merschbrock 10).

Turnovers — Crawford County 11, Charlestown 11.

        

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