By BRAD KEITH
TheFlashToday.com
(March 2, 2016) — The regional tournament is no stranger to Lingleville and senior star Tim Griffin.
But it is even more satisfying now than when Griffin was a freshman role player, helping the Cardinals soar to their second straight Class A Region III tourney. While that was the first time for the standout point guard, this is the last time, at least for him.
And he’s full aware what it means to get back, helping Lingleville reach the ‘Sweet 16’ for the fourth time in five years with a career-best 29 points in a 70-65 win over Graford Tuesday. The Cardinals avenged a loss to Graford in the same round last season.
No. 15 Lingleville faces No. 16 Campbell in a regional semifinal at 8 p.m. Friday. The winner faces No. 1 Lipan or No. 2 Avinger, who meet at 6 p.m. The regional final is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, all at Mansfield High School.
“Last year we lost to Graford in the third round at Eastland, and all year we wanted to get back there and beat them,” said Griffin, a four year letter winner one victory shy of 100 for his career. “It means so much to us, and I’m especially happy for Coach (Doug) Galyean. For him in his first year back from retirement to get to the regional tournament shows you how great a coach he is.”
And how sturdy the foundation to the Lingleville program is. It began with progress under young head coach Jance Morris, who in 2012, when Griffin was an eighth grader, guided the Cardinals to their first regional since 1985. Kade Eckert was coach the last two years, and they soared to three straight area titles a regional final in 2013 and another regional semifinal last year.
Griffin was part of each of Eckert’s three seasons and is adding to his legacy under Galyean as a senior. He could join rarified air – though no one knows exactly how rare – with win No. 100 Friday.
“I don’t know how many individual people have accomplished that at Lingleville, but I know it’s not many,” said Griffin. “I really want to accomplish that. It would mean a whole lot to me and my family, and I definitely believe we can do it.”
And he knows Colbe Stoker, his backcourt mate of six years will help him lead the way. Stoker had 11 assists along with seven points Tuesday. He recorded a rare triple-double earlier this season.
“It’s fun for us because we’re both pretty fast and really quick. We love to push the ball,” Griffin said. “It seems like he always knows exactly where I’m going to be and I know exactly where he’s going to be.”
Like in the first half against Graford at Weatherford High School. Stoker and Griffin were on a 2-on-1 break and in textbook form passed the ball across the lane and back again in the blink of an eye, Stoker-to-Griffin-to-Stoker, leaving the defender – and many fans – with his head spinning as Stoker kissed in a layup that was part of a big run by Lingleville to overcome four early 3-pointers by Graford.
“We’ve been playing together since our seventh grade year at Lingleville and we latched on to each other right away,” Griffin said. “We knew then that if we stuck together and worked together we could go far.”
Indeed. And especially with the help of big post Jarod Hagood inside. Hagood has become Mr. Double-Double in Lingleville, and had another on Tuesday with 20 points and 14 boards while blocking five shots.
“He’s really come a long way and is playing the best I’ve ever seen him. Not many teams except Lipan have guys who compare to him,” Griffin said of Hagood. “Whenever we shoot and miss it seems like it’s almost just a pass because he comes down with it and goes right back up. When we aren’t shooting well, we feed off him. We give it to him down low and he makes things happen to get us going again. He’s tremendous down there, very skilled.”
It’s turned into a three-headed monster for Lingleville, not that a host of role players haven’t made key contributions. For example – 21 points by Sergio Rangel in the area round, eight points and eight boards by Tom VanKranenburg Tuesdsay, five boards off the bench by Bailey Fenn, the list goes on.
“We play really well together and that’s the main thing,” said Griffin. “We really are playing our best, and I’m just glad we’re doing it now when it matters the most.”
When the Cardinals are just two wins from state, and Griffin is just one from achieving some notable individual history tied directly to success of a program he has contributed so greatly too.
One thing’s for sure. The Lingleville faithful believe, and will be out in force Friday in support of the Cardinals.
“It’s crazy, I honestly do think we have the best high school fans I’ve ever seen. It seems like wherever we go, win or lose, we have a full house. That will be one of the things I will miss the most is all of the fans and support,” said Griffin. “Not too many people get the opportunity to do what we’re doing, and we’re blessed to do it in a great community.”
Great article on the Lingleville Cardhnals thanks Flash and as always thanks to Brad Keith the best ever
Great article. We appreciate the coverage! The boys deserve it! The Flash is the only place to get up to date news on the Lingleville Cardinals. FYI- Saturdays game is at 2pm not 4 as stated in the article. GO CARDS!