Payson boys unable to clear West Central hurdle, bow out in regional semifinals

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Unfortunately, the third time was not the charm for the Payson Seymour boys basketball team.

The Indians saw their postseason run come to an abrupt end Wednesday night when Winchester West Central posted a 62-49 victory in a Class 1A Griggsville-Perry Regional semifinal game.

West Central’s victory was its third this season in as many tries against Payson.

“This game was much like the first two times we played,” Payson coach Tyler Duschinsky said. “We weren’t able to capitalize on opportunities we had.”

West Central (22-10) controlled much of the final three quarters to earn a berth in Friday’s 7 p.m. regional championship game against top-seeded Liberty (25-5), which ousted Griggsville-Perry 61-47 in Wednesday’s other semifinal matchup.  Liberty entered the postseason ranked No. 4 in the state.

“Liberty will be one heckuva challenge,” West Central coach Ryan Sichting said. “They’re one of the best teams in the state.”

Sichting hopes West Central will be able to employ its strengths against Liberty, which means the Cougars will try to force an up-tempo game and apply baseline-to-baseline pressure against the Eagles.

“We’re at our best when we can do that,” Sichting said. 

West Central and Liberty, a club that will be taller than the Cougars and built around a strong inside approach, have not met this season.

“I think West Central will give Liberty all it can handle,” Duschinsky said.

West Central unleashed its up-tempo attack against Payson (18-13), a team it had beaten 73-63 on Jan. 14 and 66-60 on Feb. 8. The Cougars repeatedly rattled the Indians’ offense into a variety of turnovers.

Zack Evans (18), Tysyn Mast (17) and Tyson Brown (13) triggered West Central’s offense with a combined 48 points. Those three also went 16 of 18 at the foul line in the fourth quarter when the Cougars outscored Payson 24-16.

Payson had pulled within 38-33 after three periods, thanks to an 8-0 run to end the quarter. West Central then scored eight of the first 10 points in the final period to reclaim command. 

Payson crept within 51-45 late in the game, but West Central cemented the victory with an 11-4 advantage over the closing 1 minute, 51 seconds with all the points coming at the foul line.

At one point, the Cougars made 13 straight free throws in the fourth quarter and ended the game 24 of 30. Payson was 10 for 17 at the stripe.

Trey Johnson (13), Riker Triplett (12) and Aidan Perry (11) all scored in double figures for Payson. Bryan Dieker (7), Perry (6) and Triplett (6) combined for 19 rebounds, helping Payson to a 32-27 edge on the boards.

“I’d like to thank the Payson community for all the support we have received,” said Duschinsky, completing his first year as the Indians coach. “This is home now, and I’m already looking forward to next season.”