Disappointing Finish for Holt, Timberland Basketball

For Holt senior star Dantiel Daniels and head coach Chuck Williams, it is likely still a very bitter experience to ponder what transpired last Wednesday. After all, the Indians were hoping to be celebrating a district championship this weekend.

Holt finished this season at 18-5, but lost in the opening round of the Class 5 District 7 tournament at Troy Buchanan to Fort Zumwalt West, 52-48. Holt went 5-1 to win a co-conference league title this season in the GAC South Conference, along with Troy (18-10, 5-1)

Troy defeated Fort Zumwalt West, 56-42, to win the district title on Friday.

Daniels, one of six Holt seniors, will continue his basketball career in the Missouri Valley Conference. He has committed to play at Southern Illinois-Carbondale. He averaged 21.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots this season. Daniels also shot an eye-popping 79.3 percent from the field. He was held to 14 points in the season finale.

The highlight of Daniel’s stellar season came when he had triple-doubles on back-to-back days. Daniels put up 24 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocked shots in a 59-57 victory over Francis Howell Central on Feb. 9. One day later, he had 26 points, 16 rebounds and 11 blocks in a 65-59 win over Pattonville.

Last season, Holt finished 22-8 and won a district title for the first time in 19 years.

The Holt girls varsity basketball team had another rough season. But head coach Don Jolliff did see his Indians win a first-round game in district play, defeating Francis Howell, 60-52. That victory snapped an 11-game losing streak.

The Indians lost in the district semifinals, 55-26, to Fort Zumwalt West, who went on to beat Troy for the district final. Holt finished 5-21 after its 6-19 mark one year ago. Leading the team in scoring this season was junior forward Brianne Rigg at 12.1 points per game.

For the Timberland boys basketball team, it was a season to forget. A newcomer to the GAC South Conference, the Wolves finished 2-20 and lost in the opening round of district play at Troy, 69-40, to Fort Zumwalt West. It was their ninth consecutive defeat.

Leading Timberland this season was sophomore forward Jack James with 11.5 points per game

The Timberland girls team had a much smoother transition to the GAC South Conference, as the Wolves went 3-2 in league play, and 8-16 overall. They lost their opening game in district play at Troy, 39-30 to second-seeded Troy.