‘Defensive-minded’ Independence stops Butler, takes over first place in Southwestern 4A
Preston Davis is unapologetic about it.
“I’m a defensive-minded coach,” said Davis, head coach of the Independence High boys’ basketball team. “Defense wins championships.”
It’s a bit early to crown any champions this season, but defense certainly helped the Patriots win their battle for first place in the Southwestern 4A Conference on Friday night.
The Patriots’ suffocating defense was enough to carry them past neighborhood rival Butler 52-41, leaving Independence alone in first place.
“I focus a lot on defense,” Davis said. “Some people might say I focus too much on it. But it can carry a team a long ways.”
Butler’s players probably were seeing the arms of Independence’s players in their dreams Friday night. At every turn, the Bulldogs found their way to the basket blocked by the Patriots.
In one stretch of the third quarter, Butler turned over the ball on seven of eight possessions.
“We demand a high level of intensity,” said Davis, whose team (13-4, 6-0) completed a sweep of conference opponents in the first half of league play. “I get on the guys a lot about playing good defense, boxing out, all those things.”
Butler (10-7, 5-1) managed to stay with Independence for a while. In fact, the Bulldogs led for much of the first quarter and were up 12-11 after the opening period.
The second quarter was a war. The teams totaled 13 points. Collectively, they shot 3 of 20 from the floor — and it wasn’t because the players were missing wide-open shots. It seemed as if every dribble, every shot, every pass was contested.
“Our goal was to make it tough on them,” Davis said.
Independence led 20-16 at halftime and finally got its offense on track in the third quarter. Butler’s eight turnovers frequently led to Independence baskets. The Bulldogs’ Tyler Showalter hit a 3-pointer with 5:23 left in the period, cutting the Patriots’ lead to 22-19. Independence then outscored Butler 12-2 over the remainder of the quarter.
The Bulldogs finally gave their head coach, Patrick King, something to smile about in the closing two minutes. Butler forced four turnovers and cut a 49-30 Independence lead to 49-40 with 1:15 left. But the Patriots steadied themselves and finished with the victory.
“Yeah, we had a talk about those last few minutes,” Davis said. “We can’t get away with doing that. It’s something we’ll have to fix.”
Notes
▪ Butler’s 3-point shots were not falling Friday night. The Bulldogs, who usually shoot well from long distance, hit just 3 of 18 from 3-point range. Showalter led Butler with 14 points, nine below his season average.
▪ Yancey Thomason led Independence with 17 points, and Kaleb Jasper added 11.
▪ Independence now has an 11-day break before its next game, on Jan. 30 at Charlotte Catholic, which is tied for second place with Butler. “We have some injuries, and we can use the break,” Davis said.
▪ Friday’s victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Independence against Butler.
Butler 12 4 5 20 — 41
Independence 11 9 14 18 — 52
BUTLER: Reece Starnes 10; Badio 4; Milligan 4; Tyler Showalter 14; Lawrence 2; Grier 5; Azar 2.
INDEPENDENCE: Alberga 4; Yancey Thomason 17; Kaleb Jasper 11; Kameron Jasper 4; Neely 6; Barnes 2; Bosley-Slade 5; Macharia 1; Davis 2.
