Second-quarter blitz

STUART — Late in the first quarter, Jackson Ruggles made a 3-pointer to pull Mount Ayr within four points (15-11) against seventh-ranked Coon Rapids-Bayard in a Class 1A district final Tuesday night.

Five minutes into the second quarter, the Crusaders finished a 14-0 run with a comfortable 29-11 advantage. A running clock went into effect late in the third period with Coon Rapids-Bayard ahead by 35 points at 55-20.

Reserves for both squads finished the final minutes of the 67-41 rout as the Crusaders (22-2) advanced to Saturday’s substate final against conference rival and No. 9-ranked Woodbine (22-2). Woodine defeated Bedford Tuesday, 60-48. Woodbine and Coon Rapids-Bayard split two games this season.

The Raiders were never able to recover from the second-quarter blitz by the Crusaders. In the first minute of the period alone a 7-0 run already put the Raiders in a 22-11 hole.

“When we had Ruggs (Ruggles) on the bench they came out in that 1-2-2 press and went on an 11-0 run before I could get it shut off,” Mount Ayr coach Bret Ruggles said. “They knew we would get him out at the end of the first quarter for a bit. That was great scouting on their part and they made a really good run.”

Mount Ayr’s offense never got comfortable against the aggressive, man-to-man defense by the Crusaders.

“Coon Rapids plays a very up-tempo, high energy defense and it hurries Jackson and forces him to take tough shots,” Ruggles said. “They were bringing help as soon as Jackson put it on the floor.”

Mount Ayr came out in a zone concept defensively, trying to slow the dangerous Coon Rapid-Bayard offense that has riddled many teams trying to match up man-to-man. Cal Hudson, a versatile 6-4 junior, averages 22 points a game and finished with 21 points and 20 rebounds Tuesday. Guard Caden Oswald added 18.

“They did a great job of sealing our middle, and bringing the back side cutters,” Ruggles said. “And, they hit (six) 3-pointers. If Coon Rapids can hit threes, they are a very dangerous team.”

Mount Ayr bows out at 20-4.

Ruggles, who ended with 13 points, finished his junior season four points shy of 1,000 career points. Tyler Martin, one of four seniors on the Raider squad, contributed 10 points. Other Mount Ayr seniors finishing their career were Trevin Victor, Jaize Frost and Louden Main.

“Any time you can get 20 wins in a season, it’s amazing,” Ruggles said. “Also, we played 24 games, and rarely do you get to play 24 games in a season. We got to play in a district championship. In the last 11 years, everybody in our program has been in a district championship game. That speaks volumes about our program and our seniors.”

Ruggles and 6-3 junior Tate Dugan will be returning starters next season. Sophomore guard Hayes Stogdill sparked the Raiders in the second half with three steals and finished with six points.

COON RAPIDS-BAYARD (67) — Totals (FG FT PTS) — 27 7-13 67. Cal Heydon 7 6-11 21, Caden Oswald 8 0-0 18, Ty Heydon 6 1-2 13, Bryce Lewis 4 0-0 11, Parker Hays 2 0-0 4. 3-point goals — 6-19 (Lewis 3, Oswald 2, C. Heydon 1). FG shooting — 27-57 (47.4 percent). Rebounds — 33 (C. Heydon 20, Ty Heydon 7). Assists — 22 (Oswald 8, Lewis 5). Turnovers — 7. Team fouls — 13. Fouled out — None.

MOUNT AYR (41) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 13 11-19 41. Jackson Ruggles 3 5-7 13, Tyler Martin 4 1-2 10, Hayes Stogdill 1 4-6 6, Tate Dugan 2 1-2 5, Jaize Frost 1 0-2 3, Louden Main 1 0-0 2, Drew Graham 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals — 4-18 (Ruggles 2, Frost 1, Martin 1). FG shooting — 13-39 (33.3 percent). Rebounds — 26 (Ruggles 7, Dugan 5, Rost 4, Reed 4). Assists — 9 (Ruggles 2, Dugan 2, Stogdill 2). Steals — 5 (Stogdill 3). Turnovers — 13. Team fouls — 12. Fouled out — None.