Going into its home game with Heritage, Broad Run was rolling, undefeated at 12-0. The Spartans were averaging 77 points per game on offense. All of their wins save one had come by double digits.
While the Spartans were well aware of Heritage’s talent and the possibility the Pride could pull the mild upset, really no one in the gym Friday night was prepared for what happened.
In front of a packed house, #11 Heritage dominated #8 Broad Run from start to finish, 81-53.
The victory stunned Broad Run fans used to its team’s dominance this season. Some left during the fourth quarter or even earlier.
“Going in the game we were all dialed in,” said Heritage point guard Dylan Williams. “We knew our personnel, we came in sharing the ball…our defense was awesome, it was beyond good.”
Right out the gate, Heritage dominated. The Pride led 17-6 in the first quarter as Broad Run couldn’t buy a bucket, going 1-13 from the field. To complicate matters, Broad Run starting sophomore guard Brandyn Edmonds picked up two quick fouls, sending him to the bench.
Meanwhile Heritage offensively seemed unstoppable, getting great looks at the rim time and time again. Williams found fellow juniors Masyn Miller and Jordan Garland open repeatedly as they attacked the basket. Broad Run called time outs to try and stop Heritage’s momentum, but it didn’t work. At halftime Heritage led 39-16.
The stunned Spartans did regroup at halftime, shifting their emphasis from shooting threes to attacking the rim. Adam Perdue, a fantastic shooter, was 0-8 from three-point range in the first half, but he opened the second with a driving lay-up.
That was answered immediately with Heritage senior Ryan Conley finding Miller open for three, however. A possession later Miller scored again, this time going to the hoop. Broad Run found its offensive stride, chipping Heritage’s lead down to 17 at one point. The offensively potent Spartans scored 25 points in the third quarter to give their fans hope.
Heritage (15-1) broke that hope in short order. The Pride themselves scored 24 points in the third quarter, and Broad Run could not stop Heritage’s offense. The Pride shot a blistering 70% from the field on the evening.
It was just Heritage’s night. In the fourth quarter, when both teams had cleared most of their starters, the Pride still played like a team possessed. Senior Ethan Stuntz and sophomore Davin Crain, cold from sitting on the bench the first three-and-a-half quarters, both came in and swished three-pointers.
This was a team victory for Heritage–there was ample praise after the game to go around. Miller was utterly dominant offensively, finishing with 27 points off 11-15 shooting. Junior Jordan Garland finished with 17 points, swooping in to finish with authority in transition and from the corner in the halfcourt. Williams had 11 points and 10 assists, creating essentially whatever he wanted to on offense.
Senior Becks Hetzel also added 10 points for Heritage, while junior Liam Roane had six points and eight boards off the bench. For the Spartans (12-1), senior Ryan Brzezanski led the way with 13 points, although the Pride held him well below his scoring average. Perdue added 11 points, all in the second half.
Last year Heritage had a great season, winning 20 games and defeating Broad Run 58-56 at regionals to get a state tournament berth. Heritage looked good then, but we asked Williams whether this win was the best his team has played so far.
“Of course, this is a great game,” an excited Williams said. “To come out on their home court and show everybody, we’re number one.”
–Chris Jollay