Orchard Farm Eagles End Season with Strong Effort

FLORISSANT - Orchard Farm senior guard Zach Jones wore the look of a winner Wednesday night. He sported a great big smile as he received congratulations from the green-clad fans of Eagle Nation.    

No, Orchard Farm did not pull off the David over Goliath upset. The Eagles dropped a 73-59 decision to defending state champion Cardinal Ritter in the Class 3 sectional contest at Florissant Valley Community College.    

But the Eagles turned in a gutsy, courageous effort that impressed even the usually stoic  Ritter faithful.   

"You never want to lose," said Jones, who tied for the team lead with 15 points. "But we came in here, we played hard, and we didn't get killed like everyone thought we would."    

Orchard Farm, making its first sectional appearance in school history, ends its most successful season ever with a 24-5 mark. In addition, Jones and Co. also earned a measure of respect from the Lions, who are a solid favorite to claim their second successive state crown and seventh overall.   

"They were scrappy, they were tough," said Ritter's coach Marvin Neals. "They never quit."     

Ritter, 23-5, advances to face Elsberry (25-4) in a quarterfinal game Saturday at Hannibal High.    

Ritter junior winger Cameron Biedscheid, who has already committed to Notre Dame, controlled play at both ends of the court and finished with a game-high 34 points. Darin Pitts added 16 points.    

Orchard Farm senior Delk Webb scored 15 points along with Jones. Senior Preston Steinhoff added 10 points.    

Ritter built up several double-digit leads throughout the contest. But the Eagles fought back each time.    

"I am more proud of these kids than anyone will ever know," said Orchard Farm coach Duane Stuermann. "I truly feel our kids gave them all they wanted."    

Ritter hit eight of its first 14 shots to build up a 20-6 lead after just seven minutes. The Eagles could have easily folded right there. Instead, Stuermann's crew went on a 7-1 run at the outset of the second period to climb to within 24-16. Seniors Jake Beeson and Ryan Semke fueled the rally.    

The Lions responded with a 13-5 blitz to take a seemingly safe 39-23 lead into the break.    

Ritter built the cushion to a 44-25 on a basket by the 6-foot-7 inch Biedscheid and a three-pointer from Bobbie Ward.    

But again, Orchard Farm was not done.       

Webb stepped up in the fourth quarter and got his team to within 62-53 on back-to-back baskets with 2:25 remaining.    

Obviously shaken, Neals called one of three fourth-quarter timeouts he used to settle down his veteran squad.    

Biedscheid regained control hitting four foul shots in a span of 27 seconds to push the lead back to 66-53. Orchard Farm put together one last run, climbing to within 69-59 on a jumper by Jones with just over a minute left.    

Ward then sealed the victory with a driving layup.    

Stuermann took his starters out in the closing seconds in order to allow the fans to give the five players a standing ovation.    

"I just can't say enough about these kids," Stuermann said. "This was a great night - great crowd support and a lot of fun for our kids and our community."    

The Eagles hope the impressive effort, in front of their largest crowd of the season, will set the groundwork for even more success at the north St. Charles County school.    

"I think people know who we are now," said Jones.