combined for 42 of Farmington's 51 points
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
This time the glass slipper didn't fit.
After pulling off four Cinderella home court finishes against Missota Conference rivals, the Tigers came up short in a 55-51 loss to Red Wing in the regular season finale Friday night at Tiger Gym.
The loss was a tough one for Farmington (11-16) who entered the night in a log jam in the middle of the Section 1AAAA rankings.
"We needed a win tonight to help us in seeding and to give us some momentum heading into the playoffs," Tiger coach Shane Wyandt said after the game. "I'm at a loss for words right now."
The teams slogged through a lackluster first half that saw them combine for just 25 percent shooting from the field (13 of 52). Farmington went to the break with a precarious 20-19 lead.
Mackinley Bassett supplied almost all of the Tiger offense, scoring 14 points, 12 of which came on four three-pointers.
The shooting got a little better in the second period, especially for the Wingers who hit seven of their first 10 attempts on the way to a 42-36 lead.
But as has been the case in almost every home game this winter, the Tigers clawed their way back into it. Zach Speikers' fourth three-pointer of the half pulled the the home team to within 47-44 to set up a frenetic last two minutes.
The Tigers pulled to within a point at 52-51 thanks to a personal seven-point run by Nick Varner, but a missed lay-up and four Winger free throws sealed the Tigers' fate.
The night was chock full of missed opportunities for the Tigers. Missed lay-ups, missed free throws and miscommunication on defense.
The visitors also go the better of the calls, going to the free throw line a whopping 35 times while the Tigers managed just 16 attempts.
Three players combined for all but nine of the Farmington points. Bassett finished with 18, but only four after intermission. Speikers and Varner, who also hit double digits in rebounding, each had 12 with all of them coming in the second half.
The regular season finale was likely the last home game for four seniors: Co-captain Jake Hanson, Alex Hogstad, Austin Bassett and Grant Blomster. All four drew starting assignment for the Senior Night contest.
The Tigers will learn their first round section opponent this weekend. Section 1AAAA quarterfinal play begins Wednesday, Mar. 7, at the higher seeded school.
