CROTHERSVILLE
It was a difficult night for the Crothersville boys basketball team, as the Tigers dropped a double-overtime game 86-82 to Austin in a high-energy, close matchup.
Fans packed into the gymnasium, and every possession and shot made was met with echoing cheers.
It looked as though the Tigers were going to win, as they were up 61-58 in the closing seconds of regulation, but Austin’s Drew Buhr was fouled with 0.03 seconds left and hit all three free throws.
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Tigers coach Greg Kilgore questioned the call.
“We fouled the kid at the 10-second line, and I saw him take two dribbles before he shot, but I didn’t realize the NBA continuation rules was in play in the IHSAA,” he said following the game.
He thought his team did have its chances to win.
“I can’t complain how we competed, and I thought the kids played well, and we had chances to win it,” he said.
The Tigers had a look at the end of the second overtime when they were down two and Noah Hoskins got a look, but his short jumper took an unfortunate bounce, and the Eagles got the rebound. Buhr hit two more free throws to seal the victory.
The second overtime also featured several lead changes. There were six lead changes in the last 2:23.
The game opened with Buhr draining a 3-pointer. The Tigers’ Alex VanCoutren answered quick with a basket, and Hoskins added another to give the Tigers a 4-3 lead.
Buhr hit another 3, but Matt Wilburn answered right back with a 3 of his own to a loud roar from the crowd.
The Eagles’ Nathan Lovell hit a 3, and the Tigers’ offense went cold, turning the ball over on five straight possessions.
The Tigers may have turned over the ball, but Austin could not muster a basket, either, as both teams were scoreless through a two-minute stretch. Buhr added another 3, and the Tigers’ Dylan Wilson added a basket, and the quarter ended with the Eagles up 12-9.
The Tigers got things rolling in the second quarter.
After Austin’s Andy Barnett hit a 2-pointer, the Tigers took off on a 7-0 run on three quick baskets. The run was powered by Lane Wienhorst, who hit a 3, stole the ball as the Eagles brought it up the court and took it back down to score an easy layup. Logan Brewer added a basket during the run.
In the second half of the second quarter, the Tigers were able to outscore the Eagles 12-3 to take a solid 28-19 lead heading into the locker room.
Leading the Tigers at the half was Wienhorst with 11. Wilson led the team with rebounds with five.
The opening of the third quarter favored the Eagles, as they went on a 15-6 run to start the quarter. The Tigers responded with a 7-0 run and finished the quarter by exchanging baskets with the Eagles and found themselves with a 47-40 lead.
The fourth quarter showed both teams exchanging baskets and upping the energy level. The Tigers did have a series of six turnovers, but the Eagles could not capitalize on them.
Buhr’s three free throws ended regulation.
Kilgore said his team fed off of the energy from the home crowd.
“It was awesome, and I hope we have this same kind of energy next week at Edinburgh in the sectional,” he said.
In the end, the Eagles came out victorious, but the Tigers (15-8) put together their first winning season since the 2011-12 season. Kilgore said the team’s success was based off of its offseason work and determination.
“The kids put in their time last summer and this season, and I think it’s all added up to a good season,” he said.
Kilgore said he feels his team is strong heading into the postseason.
“I think we’re ready for sectional with this energy we had in this double-overtime loss,” he said. “I really think we’re the team to beat.”