DIVISION IV BOYS: Word of Life boys fall to Chaplin, Whittell in final

RENO — Word of Life's boys basketball team had rallied for some key postseason victories, including an overtime win in the Division IV state semifinals.

The Eagles just didn't have another comeback in them.

Palmer Chaplin had 22 points, eight assists and three steals to lead Whittell to a 53-48 victory over Word of Life in the Division IV state title game Saturday at UNR's Lawlor Events Center.

"You know, we played a really good team tonight," Word of Life coach Percy Lockett said. "And some shots didn't fall that we needed at crucial moments of the game. And they made plays throughout the game. They earned it."

Chaplin scored just three points in the fourth quarter, but they were big ones. Word of Life had pulled within 41-38 on a 3-pointer by Trent McCall. Chaplin then found Dismas Womack open in the lane on an inbounds play to make the score 43-38. Chaplin then hit a stop-and-pop 3-pointer in transition to push the lead to eight with 5:05 to play.

He wouldn't score again, but had plenty of impact on the outcome. Chaplin penetrated time and again, dishing to open teammates for easy buckets. He had five fourth-quarter assists.

"Paul (Kelker) was in foul trouble, and we had to back off the pressure, so it kind of opened up the floor for him," Lockett said. "You can't take nothing away from the kid, he's a hell of a player. But the fouls hurt us."

The Eagles (18-4) got within three again after Malik Moore made two free throws with 1:35 left to make the score 48-45.

After Quinn Kixmiller hit 1 of 2 free throws for Whittell (27-2), Chaplin set up two teammates for easy buckets by driving and dishing, and the Warriors led by eight with 35 seconds to play.

Word of Life didn't commit its fifth team foul until 18.8 seconds were left and never got to the bonus, so the Eagles were unable to send Whittell to the line to extend the game.

McCall had 12 of his team-high 15 points in the second quarter for Word of Life, but didn't get another shot until the fourth quarter.

"We decided to try and attack the post, so we kind of went away from it," Lockett said. "We thought we would have better success attacking the post."

Moore finished with eight points and 17 rebounds for the Eagles.

"That's something he does night in and night out," Lockett said. "He just continuously crashes the boards and fights to the end."

Elijah Hoye added 13 points for Word of Life, which was making its first appearance in a state tournament.

"It's huge for those kids to get here today," Lockett said. "Four years ago, we were an independent team, so for those kids to be out there on that court tonight was huge."