Metamora basketball won the anticipated title rematch, but knows the job is far from finished

Adam Duvall, Journal Star
·4 min read

SPRINGFIELD — Not many mid-January high school basketball games can claim this type of intensity.

Metamora snapped Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin's 24-game win streak with a 60-50 victory Monday night at the TRAC on the University of Illinois-Springfield campus.

"The Rematch" — as social media billed it — had a standing-room-only crowd packed to the rafters for this replay of the Class 3A state title game from last March, when a buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave SHG a 53-50 double-overtime victory. Nine of the 10 starters from that game were on the floor for the opening tip.

“You talk about a great high school basketball atmosphere,” Metamora coach Danny Grieves said. “Postseason atmosphere, for sure.

“We were looking forward to this matchup, and it didn’t disappoint. What a great game to watch as a fan and as a coach …”

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Bigger venue, more fans

This game was originally scheduled for February’s Normal West Shootout. But a proposal came back to play at UIS, with the chance for a big crowd. Grieves was in, and the venue change better accommodated two loyal fan bases with raucous student sections on both sides.

“I jumped on the offer,” he said.

So that meant Metamora would get a shot at the Cyclones, which ended their season 10 months ago with a state championship on KeShon Singleton’s unbelievable 3-pointer at the buzzer.

SH-G's Bryce Musgrave, left, and J'veon Bardwell, right, double up on Metamora's Matthew Zobrist in the first half Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at UI-Springfield. The Redbirds defeated the defending 3A state champion Cyclones 60-50.
SH-G's Bryce Musgrave, left, and J'veon Bardwell, right, double up on Metamora's Matthew Zobrist in the first half Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at UI-Springfield. The Redbirds defeated the defending 3A state champion Cyclones 60-50.

Removing that 'bitter taste'

Ethan Kizer hadn’t forgotten what happened last March. The 6-foot-6 senior guard scored 14 points following just three on 1-for-7 shooting in the championship game.

“After that loss last year, it was a little bitter taste in our mouth,” the South Alabama signee said, “so coach (Grieves) made sure to get them on the schedule this year.”

He came out on fire in the second quarter Monday, hitting a trio of 3-pointers amidst a 14-4 second-quarter push by Metamora. The fourth-ranked Redbirds (16-2) led 32-22 after trailing by as many as five in the opening frame.

Kizer then added an old-fashioned three-point play to open the fourth quarter.

“They were just finding me open,” he said, “so I was just knocking down the shot.”

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However, Kizer’s biggest contribution was on the defensive end. His ability to protect the rim came up extra key, especially matching up with 6-foot-5 forward Zack Hawkinson (17 points) in the post. He had four blocks after recording five in the first meeting.

“Any time he can impact a game, we’re pretty good,” Grieves said.

Metamora's Drew Tucker (24) and Tyson Swanson collide with SH-G's Zack Hawkinson on a rebound in the second half Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at UI-Springfield. The Redbirds defeated the defending 3A state champion Cyclones 60-50.
Metamora's Drew Tucker (24) and Tyson Swanson collide with SH-G's Zack Hawkinson on a rebound in the second half Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at UI-Springfield. The Redbirds defeated the defending 3A state champion Cyclones 60-50.

SHG came back

SHG — the state’s top-ranked 3A team — wasn’t about ready to roll over.

Following Kizer’s bucket, SHG (17-1) went on an 8-0 to pull within 46-45. Jake Hamilton scored half of those points in that spurt, finishing with 15 on the night.

“That’s the reason our schedule is so hard to have lessons like this,” the 6-foot-3 senior guard said. “It’s good to get it out of the way. We know we’ll see them later in the year.”

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Ultimately, free throws by Metamora proved to be the difference. In the state championship, the Redbirds missed its final three freebies including five of its last six.

It was a different story this time around for the Redbirds, who went 8-for-8 in the final three minutes with Tyler Mason (17 points), Drew Tucker, Kizer and Matthew Zobrist all knocking down a pair. Tyson Swanson also added 14 points.

“We got a little bit of toughness in us,” Grieves said. “… We knew the importance of free throws, and they put in extra time, and it paid off.”

Metamora's Tyler Mason, left, and Drew Tucker, middle, celebrate after Tucker took a foul from SH-G's Zack Hawkinson, right, on a successful layup in the first half Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at UI-Springfield. The Redbirds defeated the defending 3A state champion Cyclones 60-50.
Metamora's Tyler Mason, left, and Drew Tucker, middle, celebrate after Tucker took a foul from SH-G's Zack Hawkinson, right, on a successful layup in the first half Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at UI-Springfield. The Redbirds defeated the defending 3A state champion Cyclones 60-50.

Will there be another rematch?

A third and final meeting between these two teams wouldn’t come until the 3A state semifinals. Metamora is routed through the Ottawa Supersectional, while Sacred Heart-Griffin comes through the Springfield Supersectional.

Five postseason wins by each squad would get that trilogy — not a bad way to end the season.

“It’s a big win,” Tucker said, “but we got a lot to do. Job’s not finished. … Postseason — we’ll see them again.”

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Metamora beats SHG basketball in rematch of championship game