Last year's Cinderella team had their hearts broken in the first round of the state playoffs this season.

Head Coach Thad Burgess' Dawson County High School varsity boys basketball team saw its season come to an end at Woodward Academy Feb. 20 by a 51-39 score.

Four seniors played their final games as Tigers: Camron Chester, Tyler Dominy, Will Anglin and Gunnar Armstrong.

"What a great run these seniors have made," Burgess said. "They have been a part of the most successful run in the history of our basketball program. They have been leaders both on and off the court."

The group of seniors have compiled an 82-33 overall record during their career.

Woodward Academy entered the contest as the No. 1-seed out of Region 6-AAA.

The War Eagles defeated St. Pius X to win the region championship the weekend before and boast a 25-5 record.

Dawson County's infamous 3-2 zone held Woodward to a dismal shooting first half.

The War Eagles were only 8 for 36 from the field with no three-pointers made.

Dawson County played even with Woodward in the first half and trailed only 24-23 at intermission. By the end of the third, the Tigers were still keeping the game tight, trailing 34-31.

Playing only five players, it looked like the Tigers were worn down in the fourth quarter and managed only eight points in the final eight minutes.

"We just hit the wall and ran out of gas," Burgess said. "We played well until the end, but with just five bodies that's just a lot to ask in Class AAA."

Dominy and Anglin provided most of the offense. The duo scored 17 and 16 points respectively. Jonathan Sanderson scored six points in the loss. Dominy, Anglin and Sanderson were the only three Tigers to score in the game.

Woodward was led by Christian Harrison with 13 points and Corey Hicks with 12 points.

"We battled as long as we were physically able to," said Burgess. "About the five minute mark in the fourth quarter their full court pressure finally got to us. They converted steals into lay-ups and converted their free throws down the stretch."

Burgess said the community's support has always been a huge part of his team's success.

"Our community rallied behind these boys because they knew the effort and heart they had and have made us all proud. I believe they went as long and as hard as they possibly could physically and mentally. This team did all that I could ask of them. Now, we will all get behind our girls' team as they continue their run, a fun time for our basketball programs and the excitement and pride both programs bring to our school statewide with the strongest community support of any community in the state."

The Tigers finished the season with a 21-8 overall record.