St. Vincent's season ends in semifinals

A furious second-half rally by St. Vincent fell just short as the Indians dropped a 44-42 decision to Ellsbury in a Class 2 District 4 boys basketball semifinal in Crystal City, Mo.

St. Vincent trailed 23-14 at halftime, but a 17-9 third-quarter run pulled the Indians within 32-31 heading into the final quarter. Trent Elder's 3-pointer gave St. Vincent a 36-35 lead midway through the period, but Ellsbury answered right back with a three and never relinquished the lead.

St. Vincent was victimized by a second quarter that saw the Indians score just four points, all from senior center Dylan Hellman.

"We just did not hit any shots anywhere," St. Vincent coach Bruce Valleroy said. "We just got ice-cold, and they took advantage of it."

Hellman led St. Vincent with 15 points, while Dylan Richardet added 12.

The Indians finished 17-9 after winning just nine games a season ago.

"I'm disappointed the way it ended, but I'm very proud of the way the kids handled themselves," Valleroy said. "We won eight more games than last year. Not a lot of teams can say that."

Ellsbury 10 13 9 12 -- 44

St. Vincent 10 4 17 11 -- 42

ELLSBURY (44) -- Lesley 19, Porter 15, Fracton 8, Howard 2. FG: 15, FT: 11-18, F: 9. (3-pointers: Porter 3. Fouled out: none)

ST. VINCENT (42) -- Dylan Hellman 15, Dylan Richardet 12, Trent Elder 9, Nathan Carroll 2, Trenton Gremaud 2, Kevin Mattingly 2. FG: 17, FT: 4-6, F: 17. (3-pointers: Elder 2, Richardet 2. Fouled out: none.)

-- From staff report