By Becky Walz,
For the second time in a week, a game between South Winn (15-6) and Clayton Ridge (11-10) was decided in overtime. Monday night, the Warriors claimed the Class 1A District 6 win, 64-56.
The Warriors advance to the district semifinal at Wapsie Valley (17-4) against the other Warriors tonight (Thursday Feb. 18) at 7 p.m. The winner of the semifinal goes on to the district final Tuesday, Feb. 23, against either Ed-Co or Turkey Valley, at 7 p.m. The location has not been announced yet.
Jacob Herold got the party started on the court for South Winn with back-to-back treys to propel the home team to a 16-4 lead after the first period. The Warriors saw their lead diminish to three, 28-25, in the second quarter.
Following the break, the Red and White were up by as many as 11, starting the third frame on a 6-0 run; however, the Eagles broke through the defense once again to close the period down, 40-36. Herold opened the fourth quarter with a pair of baskets to put SW up 44-36 before a pair of treys and deuce brought CR within one, 45-44, with 4:32 to play. The Warriors continued to stay out front as the clock continued to tick until the 1:56 mark when the Eagles went on a 5-0 run, taking a 54-50 lead from SW. With the clock under a minute, Trey Kriener brought the score to within one, 53-52. At the free throw line, CR connected on just one charity toss, opening the door for Herold to score the tying basket with eight seconds on the clock for overtime.
In the extra period, the Eagles were on the board first, but would only score that basket, as SW rattled off 10 points to snag the win.
Herold led the Warriors in nearly every category with 31 points, five assists and four steals. Posting a double-double with 16 points and 18 boards was Kriener to go with three blocks and four assists. Cael Kuboushek added eight points, two steals and two rebounds, while Collin Wiltgen was in to grab five boards and knock down four points.
“This was a great high school play-off basketball game that was back-and-forth that went down to the wire. We knew going in that we would have to play consistent the entire game to beat a tough team like Clayton Ridge, and I am very proud of our guys for sticking together and battling til the end to get the win in overtime,” said Coach Blake Moen. “We need to be better at closing out games like this when we get a good lead in the second half, but I give credit to our guys for rebounding and hitting big shots down the stretch to force OT and grind out the win.”
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