Defense leads Helias past Webb City, to Class 4 Final Four

Marcus Anthony of Helias goes in for a layup against Webb City's Terrell Kabala during the first half of Saturday's Class 4 quarterfinal game at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar.
Marcus Anthony of Helias goes in for a layup against Webb City's Terrell Kabala during the first half of Saturday's Class 4 quarterfinal game at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar.

BOLIVAR - The Helias Crusaders were down at halftime Saturday against the Webb City Cardinals.

It wasn't time to push the panic button, but it was time to try something different.

"We talked to them at halftime, and we didn't feel like we were playing at the same pace that we like to play at," Helias coach Joe Rothweiler said. "That was our big talking point at half, to get after these guys."

By getting after the Cardinals, the Crusaders turned up the heat on their reliable defense. The adjustment worked, as Helias forced nine Webb City turnovers in the third quarter, turning a four-point halftime deficit into a 63-54 win in the Class 4 quarterfinals at Southwest Baptist.

"Every time we step on the court, we focus strictly on defense," said Helias' Marcus Anthony, whose team forced a total of 18 turnovers against Webb City.

Helias (23-6), unranked in the final regular-season Class 4 state poll, will face top-ranked Vashon (24-5) at 6:15 p.m. Thursday in the state semifinals at JQH Arena in Springfield. The Wolverines routed Kirksville 70-39 in their quarterfinal game Saturday.

This will be the Crusaders' first trip to the Final Four since 2016.

"That was a goal of ours to begin the season," Rothweiler said. "We knew we had a chance to be pretty good."

Helias never trailed by more than five points in the first half, but a pair of buzzer-beaters contributed to the Crusaders' 26-22 halftime deficit.

Webb City's Nickhai Howard went coast-to-coast, hitting a 6-footer in the lane at the horn to put the Cardinals ahead 12-10 after one quarter.

Then, with :02.4 remaining in the second quarter, Webb City pushed the ball up the court and Terrell Kabala hit a deep 3-pointer at the top of the key to extend the Cardinals' lead to 26-22 at halftime.

"Both of those were our fault," Rothweiler said. "They hit tough shots, but we went too quick at the end of the first quarter and gave them four seconds (to score). Right before the half, we just didn't pick up their best player."

Helias only committed one turnover in the first half, and it was on its first possession of the game. But the Crusaders had shot just 29.0 percent from the floor, including 2-of-13 from 3-point range.

"When you shoot the 3, you have to catch it and be ready to shoot," Rothweiler said. "If you're not ready to shoot and catch, just pass it or attack the basket."

That message was received at halftime as well. Down 31-24 early in the third quarter, Damon Johanns scored a three-point play, then Isaac Johnson made his first 3 of the game with 5:30 left in the quarter to close Webb City's lead to one point.

"Isaac's been the guy that gets us out of that funk a lot of times this season," Rothweiler said. "That 3 he hit, he just pulled up in transition and knocked it down with total confidence."

Kabala answered with a basket on the other end for Webb City (17-10). He led the Cardinals with 21 points.

Then the Helias defense took control for the rest of the third quarter. The Crusaders used a 9-0 run in a span of 1:24 to take a 39-33 lead. Anthony scored six points during that run, twice driving at the basket for a layup.

"I told Marcus, 'They can't stay in front of you, attack the rim,'" Rothweiler said of Anthony, who matched Kabala with 21 points. "Man, he made some plays in that second half."

Webb City cut the Helias lead to one point, but Colby LeCuru and Caleb Justice each grabbed steals and went the length of the court for layups to push the score to 43-38 late in the third.

"Those are seniors that really want to win," Rothweiler said. "They made huge plays."

Helias was ahead 43-40 going into the fourth. LeCuru knocked down a 3 to double the lead, a shot which helped the Crusaders ensure they never trailed in the game's final eight minutes.

LeCuru joined Anthony in double figures with 14 points, adding a rare drive and a layup midway through the fourth.

"He made big plays," Rothweiler said. "He shot the ball 13 times, which is probably a career-high. We need him to do that, and we've been trying to get him to do that for three years."

Howard scored a putback for the Cardinals, making the score 56-54 with 1:53 to play. But Helias held Webb City without a point the rest of the way.

"We played zone down the stretch for the first time in I can't even remember the last time we played zone," Rothweiler said.

The Crusaders went 7-of-8 at the free-throw line in the final 1:24. Anthony got a steal and made a pair of free throws with 53 seconds to play, pushing the Helias lead to 59-54.

"When Marcus got the steal, that's when I thought the game was over," said Malcolm Davis, who scored all six of his points in the fourth quarter for Helias.

Saturday's game was played in a mostly empty gym at Southwest Baptist. Due to coronavirus concerns, MSHSAA limited each team to 60 attendees deemed "essential personnel," a number that included the players and coaches.

"I'm super grateful that MSHSAA is allowing us to do this, when a lot of people around the country aren't able to play," Rothweiler said.