Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

The final seconds were still ticking away, but the emotions were already taking over on the Western Boone bench on Saturday night. Big smiles and tears of joy started to come out as their fans celebrated behind them, cheering them on as they had for the previous 90 minutes in a clinical display against a quality Seeger opponent. The 55-37 win was a big one, as evidenced by the big wooden trophy the team would receive just minutes after the final buzzer. But on a deeper level, it meant so much more - the end of 25 years of frustration, and dreams fulfilled that not many people outside of the program would have ever guessed possible. "This is an amazing feeling," senior Marcus Fortner said. "It's been 25 years since we have won this. No one outside of our locker room believed we could do it, but since the start of the season, it's been a goal to win the sectional. And now we did it." It was understandable why those on the outside didn't have the same belief in the Stars. Since their last sectional title in 2000, the Stars have had just five winning seasons, and were coming off a year where they only collected five program wins. But that team came in with virtually no varsity experience, and saw the benefits of being able to grow as a collective group over a two year period, as they brought back a large contingent this year. Even after a slow start to this season, where they sat 2-9 in mid January after the Sugar Creek Classic, they still believed in one another and during the final weeks of the season, they started playing more like the unit they had envisioned coming into the year. "Right (after the Sugar Creek), things started clicking," Western Boone head coach Dustin Oakley said. "We beat Frankfort, then played Danville really tough, then won four in a row. The things we saw today - the moving without the basketball, making the extra passes - we have seen since that stretch. Our practices have been so much better and efficient. We have been more prepared getting ready for these teams and it's been a great ride for these guys." Saturday night was a prime example of how much the Stars continued to grow as the season went on, becoming more confident game by game. A month ago, the Stars lost to Seeger by three after holding a five-point lead heading to the fourth quarter. But the Patriots went on a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter in that game, and the Stars couldn't claw their way back. The second time around Western Boone held a seven-point lead heading into the final quarter. Seeger hit a 3-pointer on the opening possession of the final quarter, but instead of going on a big run, it was the Stars that responded. The Stars scored the next eight points and out-scored the Patriots 17-3 over the final 7:30. "I think losing (to Seeger) in the regular season motivated us even more (tonight)," senior Gavin Hawkins said. "It helped us get to the next level. It's taken four years to get here, some rough patches this year, but this team knows how to fight and these last few games - it's probably one of the greatest times of my life." Western Boone led almost the entire game. Seeger held a 6-5 lead early, but a Hawkins 3-pointer gave Western Boone the lead for good and sparked a 9-2 run to give WeBo a 14-8 lead. freestar The Stars built the lead to as many as 12 in the second quarter after a 3-pointer by Tristyn Faulk, but Seeger clawed back within five heading into the locker room for the half. Oakley said one thing that has been different over the past few weeks for his team is how they are coming out on the front foot and dictating things early. "I feel like the 'WeBo way' for a few years is that we were always playing from behind," Oakley said. "We would wait to get punched in the mouth, then fight back and end up winning or losing. These past few games, we are getting leads, it's building our confidence and gives us more energy on defense. We are just playing good, team basketball. We have five guys on the court playing as one and that's why we are successful." Western Boone scored the first eight points of the third quarter to go up 13, but Seeger's Jack Cole got hot, scoring all 11 points in an 11-4 run to get within six. But the Stars still led by seven heading to the fourth, and after Cole hit another 3 to cut the lead to four, the Stars put the game away. Seeger was just 13-of-41 from the field and turned it over 10 times in the game. During the three-game sectional run, the Stars held their three opponents to an average of 15 points below their scoring average for the season. "We are being super active and our communication is unbelievable right now," Oakley said of the defense. "There were things we talked about for a hour and a half this morning that guys were picking up and saying on court. When you do that, and are connected, you're going to be tough to beat." Quinn Westerfeld led the Stars with 13 points and seven rebounds. Fortner had 12 points and six rebounds, with Hawkins and Faulk each having 11. Beau Sawyer added seven points. It's the balance that has benefited the Stars during their second half stretch. "For all of us, it doesn't matter who is scoring," Fortner said. "Someone can have an off-shooting night, but they're going to do their best to get all the rebounds, finding open teammates and take care of the ball. We're just an unselfish group and it's amazing playing with these guys." Things don't get any easier for the Stars in the regional, as they face No. 1 Wapahani at 4 p.m. at Lapel next Saturday. And while the preparation will begin in earnest next week, Oakley wants his team to enjoy the success they have had now, and appreciate the journey they have been on. "I have just been focused on putting in the time and building the program," Oakley said. "Honestly, you never think it's going to happen, it's the hardest thing to win a sectional - especially going against two top teams like Delphi and Seeger. We just talked about playing championship basketball for 32 minutes, and this one of the best feelings in the world. "We know we aren't the best program in the state, and we don't always get a lot of respect, but our kids are different. Their mentality is different, both physically and mentally, and it showed the last half of the season. It took us a while, but this is what you play for - this night and this opportunity - and it just feels great to be a sectional champ." Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.