Unaka left it all on the court Thursday night.
The Rangers were unable to answer a late burst from Humboldt as Unaka fell 64-53 in the Class A Quarterfinals in the Murphy Center. Unaka’s season comes to a close with a 22-7 mark.
“I thought we battled and played hard – just like we’ve done for 30 games,” Unaka Head Coach Aaron Dugger said. ” We competed from tip to buzzer, and you know we had our chances, and that is all we can ask for.”
It was a back-and-forth battle from the opening tip.
“I think I am looking, there were nine times it was tied and eight lead changes so we were right there with one of the top basketball teams in the state,” Dugger said. “So you know, I told those kids before I came over here that I’m indebted to them for letting me come along for the last month. I told them I’ve been here 18 years, and I had dreamed about being at the Murphy Center, and at some point, you start realizing it may not happen, and then you get a special group like this that gets you here. I’m just disappointed that I won’t get to spend another day with them in this magnitude.”
Aiden Walsh led Unaka with 18 points. John Hardin was plagued with foul trouble and finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds despite only playing 22 minutes.
After the Vikings scored the first six points of the game, Walsh drained a pair of 3-pointers for the Rangers before Zach Wallin tied the game at 8-8 midway through the first. Hardin gave Unaka their first lead of the game as the teams swapped baskets to end the quarter.
Humboldt led Unaka 14-12 after a quarter of play.
The teams continued to go back and forth in the second as Humboldt maintained a 25-21 advantage. Justius Wallin and Hardin combined for a 6-0 Unaka run, and a Hardin jumper in the closing minute gave Unaka a 30-28 lead at the half.
The third continued to be a battle.
Walsh, Z. Wallin, and Hardin had shots as Unaka pushed the lead to 37-32. After a Viking run to take a 43-41 lead, Z. Wallin hit a basket to tie the game at 43-43 after three complete quarters.
In the fourth, Humboldt pushed the lead out to five points. That sparked a Viking run after Hardin fouled out with 6:18 left to play.
The Rangers kept battling, but Humboldt was able to extend the lead.
Unaka, however, didn’t go quietly as they trimmed a double-digit deficit to four points with 1:35 left to play before Humboldt was able to hold on for the win.
Z. Wallin had eight points, and J. Wallin had six points. Austin Lambert finished with four points.
As a team, Unaka shot 23-of-52 (45%) from the field, while Humboldt was 27-of-56 (48%).
Darion Taylor, a Mr. Basketball finalist, led Humboldt with 25 points. Jakevious Graves had 19 points.
“These kids – I’m just lucky that I got to coach them,” Dugger said. “I don’t know what else to say. They are great kids. You don’t have to worry about them, and they do everything to a tee that I want them to do; whether they believe in it or not, they do it. I’m indebted to them forever, for this past month. I mean, it’s been unbelievable. So proud.”
Story and photos by Matt Laws
