“I’m just happy for the kids, the school, and the community,” said Sheffield coach Jordan Copley, whose Wolverines finished the final varsity season in school history at 3-18. “Everyone showed up tonight and I can’t be more proud of the team and their ability to get the win.”

With a school board vote to close the high school after this school year, there was extra motivation to do just that — win.

“We all knew it was special for us to be the last on the court and to try to get that win, and all of us did,” said Sheffield senior Colby Barr. “We wanted to play with heart and come out with the win and we all played great. The fans made it 10 times better. The whole crowd was cheering and up on their feet — it was amazing.”

After scoring a career-high 34 points last week, Barr scored 10 of his game-high 24 points on Tuesday in Sheffield’s 14-3 second quarter.

Sheffield’s Andrew Kyler dribbles past a Ridgway defender Tuesday in the Wolverines’ 46-28 win in their final varsity boys basketball game at Sheffield High School. Photo by Cody Elms

Barr scored 10 more points in the third quarter to stretch a 10-point halftime lead to 37-20 entering the fourth.

The key was “just playing strong defense and getting good shots at the basket,” said Copley, who himself played for Sheffield before graduating from there in 2008. This was his 10th season as coach — five for junior varsity and the last five as head varsity coach.

“I talked to them about being the last team to play on the floor,” he said, “making sure that no matter the outcome, they left every bit of their hearts out on that floor.

“I’m just honored to have been allowed to be a part of this program,” said Copley. “I’m not entirely sure if it’s set in as far as the reality, but I do know I’m going to miss it and miss our school. These kids are great kids to be around, and I can honestly say that for all 10 years I’ve been a part of the program. I’m lucky to have been a part of such a great place. I’d also like to thank coach Knapp for the opportunity he gave me to get me started in all of this. Without him, I wouldn’t be the coach I am today.”

RIDGWAY (28)

Miller 1 1 3, Amacher 1 0 2, Steger 5 2 12, Panebianco 3 0 9, Michalowski 1 0 2. Totals 11 3-7 28.

SHEFFIELD (46)

Chin-Young 0 1 1, JacChapman 2 0 4, JamChapman 0 0 0, Holsey 2 0 5, Hammerbeck 0 0 0, Barr 11 2 24, Fetzeck 0 0 0, Kyler 0 0 0, Garris 0 0 0, Bowman 1 1 4, Williams 4 0 8. Totals 20 4-7 46.

3-point goals–Panebianco 3, Holsey, Bowman.

Ridgway 8 3 9 8 — 28

Sheffield 7 14 16 9 — 46