Vandalia, Ohio — The SCAL champion Anna Rockets came into Vandalia Butler High School on Saturday morning as they tried to become the third SCAL school to win a district title this season. They had to play National Trail who won the CCC this season as they’ve been led by junior guard Cameron Harrison.
The first quarter was very balanced as neither team got out to that big of an advantage. National Trail distributed their scores pretty evenly, while Anna mainly relied on Bart Bixler and Kamren Steward. Cameron Harrison nailed a contested jumper at the horn to give the Blazers a 21-18 lead.
Kamren Steward immediately tied the game with a deep three. Zach Woodall dominated the paint, scoring layup after layup. Riley Huelskamp eventually tied the game for Anna with an and-one. A layup from each Bixler and Huelskamp would put Anna up 32-27 before Zach Woodall got a late layup to bring National Trail back. They trailed 32-29 at the half.
National Trail’s Colton Toms had a monster block as he swatted Bart Bixler. Zach Woodall then took the ball coast to coast to bring the Blazers within four. Kamren Steward help Anna go on a run to go up ten, but Zach Woodall and Cameron Harrison led National Trail back. A Coleton Everman buzzer beater brought National Trail back within five. The score heading into the fourth quarter was 50-45, Anna led.
Isaac Lininger hit a corner three to put Anna up 12. Kamren Steward then put the game away with a pair of layups to keep the Rockets up 12. Harrison and Woodall continued to hit shots but it was just too little too late as the Anna Rockets would go on to win yet another district title.
Anna was led by Kamren Steward who had 19 points, he was helped by Isaac Lininger and Riley Huelskamp who put up 16 and 15 each. National Trail was led by Zach Woodall was had 22 and Cameron Harrison who put up 16.
This win will move Anna to the regional semifinal against Stivers. The Rockets will then play the winner of CHCA and Deer Park if they can knock off Stivers in back to back seasons. This loss ends National Trail’s historic season as the CCC champions fall in the district final.