RIDGEFIELD — Sid Bryant thinks of himself as a rebounder/defender. Scoring isn’t a big part of his game.
But in the fourth quarter, as the Ridgefield Spudders tried to work the clock and nurse a late lead, it was Bryant being the finisher with some tough inside baskets, helping the Spudders seals a 54-40 win over Black Hills in the first round of the 2A boys basketball district tournament on Saturday.
“I was just trying to get the rebounds,” the 6-foot-4 senior said. “It’s one thing I’m good at — rebounds, defense. That’s what I try to do my best at.”
Bryant finished with 13 points to compliment Henry Hughes’ game-high 23 points as Ridgefield returns to the district semifinals for a second straight season.
But unlike last season, a win in this semifinal matchup against Tumwater on Tuesday at Woodland High comes with a berth to the regional round of the state tournament.
“I’m happy with the win,” Ridgefield coach Jason Buffum said. “Back-to-back years in the semifinals. This year feels a little different. It feels like a real event now.”
The bright lights of postseason play might have blinded the Spudders early on Saturday, as their outside shots were not falling early.
“It was like at the start the lights came on and we couldn’t hit a shot,” Buffum said. “A lot of them were wide open. We’d only have like one pass. So at halftime, we talked about moving the ball around more, getting the big guys involved.”
Hughes had 14 of his points in the first half as the Spudders led 30-21 at the intermission.
“Our defense was the story tonight,” Buffum said. “That’s where we won the game.”
Up 44-31 heading into the fourth, the Spudders sealed the game as Bryant scored nine of the Spudders’ final 10 points.
Now Ridgefield gets its shot at its first state berth since 2012.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Bryant said. “I don’t know how long it’s been since we’ve been here. We’re just trying to go as hard as we can.”
RIDGEFIELD 54, BLACK HILLS 40
BLACK HILLS — Simon Trujillo-Nysted 0, Max Johnson 7, Johnnie Stallings 12, Harrison Pilon 0, Luke Ellison 11, Alexander Shepler 0, Keagan Rongen 4, Andre Byoune 6. Totals 14 (7) 5-6 40.
RIDGEFIELD — Sid Bryant 13, Zach Warren 8, Cole Chester 0, Ty Snider 6, Nathan Semlick 2, Jalen Dunn 0, Henry Hughes 23, Kalapana Estrella 0, Joesph Borgmeyer 0, Simon Rommel 2, Colten Castro 0. Totals 21 (5) 7-10 54.
Black Hills 11 10 10 9—40
Ridgefield 10 20 14 10—54
