Grapeland Drops OT Decision to Muenster in 2A Semifinals

SAN ANTONIO -- The Grapeland Sandies survived a challenging road through Region III to reach the state basketball tournament, and then played even with the state's top-ranked team for 32 minutes.

But a cold-shooting overtime period doomed the Sandies in a 56-52 loss to No. 1 Muenster in Friday morning's Class 2A semifinal from the Alamodome.

Muenster (32-6) will face Clarendon (31-2) for the state championship at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Parker Wilson's game-winning attempt as time expire in regulation rimmed out for Grapeland (33-6), sending the game to overtime.

Grapeland made just one field goal in eight attempts in the extra session, allowing Muenster to stave off the Sandies' upset attempt.

Muenster only connected on one field goal in overtime as well, but got to the free throw line 10 times, converting five of the foul shouts.

Blake Hoepfner led all scorers with 27 points for Muenster. He knocked down four of his team's six 3-points shots and collected seven rebounds.

John Weger added 11 points, while Logan Cook dominated the interior with eight points and 18 rebounds.

Grapeland was led by Riley Chipman, who finished with 24 points and four rebounds. Tink McQuirter added 15 points, eight boards, two assists, and two blocks, while Wilson chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds.

The game, which featured seven lead changes, was tight throughout as neither team held a lead of more than nine points.

Grapeland led 13-4 midway through the first quarter, but Muenster was eventually able to chip away and trail 30-25 at halftime.

Weger's layup with 6:35 remaining in the fourth gave Muenster its first lead, 40-39, since the opening minute of the game.

Chipman scored to give Grapeland a 49-48 advantage with 35 seconds to play, but Hoepfner was able to convert on 1 of 2 free throws to tie the game with eight seconds remaining in regulation.

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No. 1 Muenster 56, No. 18 Grapeland 52 (OT)

Boys Class 2A State Semifinal

At Alamodome, San Antonio

Muenster 11 14 11 13 7 -- 56
Grapeland 17 13 9 10 3 -- 52
MUENSTER (32-6) -- Blake Hoepfner, 27; John Weger, 11; Logan Cook, 8; Clay Stevens, 8; Cal York, 2.
GRAPELAND (33-6) -- Riley Chipman, 24; Tink McQuirter, 15; Parker Wilson, 10; Tyrin Wiley, 2; Rick Frauenberger, 1.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Muenster: Hoepfner (4), Stevens (2). Grapeland: Chipman (3), McQuirter (2), Wilson.