Helias boys pull away from Marshall

KIRKSVILLE - It took the Helias Crusaders a little while to get going.

Top-seeded Helias pulled away in the second half for a 67-47 victory against fifth-seeded Marshall in the Class 4 District 8 Tournament semifinals Thrusday night.

"That first win in districts is hard to get," Helias head coach Josh Buffington said. "Everybody comes out with a lot of nerves because you're not ready for it to be over."

Tied at 15 after one quarter, Helias took a 35-30 edge into the intermission.

"I think we played on our heels a lot in the first half, but we loosened up in the second half and were in attack mode," Buffington said.

Helias held a 53-42 advantage entering the final period.

Adam Bax paced the Crusaders with 18 points, Hale Hentges added 17 points and six blocks, Isiah Sykes had 13 points and six assists and Collin Caywood chipped in 12 points.

"That's the best balance we've had in a while," Buffington said. "We did a great job of moving the ball around and it was moving very quickly. I thought our defense in the third and fourth quarters led to a lot of easy baskets and created some easy offensive opportunities. It was definitely a team win."

Helias (19-7) will take on the Mexico-Moberly winner at 7:30 p.m. for the district title.

"We played them both," Buffington said, alluding to a 15-point win against Mexico and 20-point victory against Moberly earlier this season. "Both very solid, both well-prepared and well-coached. It's a rivalry game for us in either one of them in the finals. I expect a very intense game."