Arrows survive against Cougars in 2 OTs

Tecumseh knocks down 9 of 10 free throws in final four minutes.

Randy Hilt Tecumseh's Jordan Golzelski battles for the ball against Kenton Ridge's Adam Roberson. Contributed photo by Randy Hilt

ENLARGE PHOTO

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves
7:38 a.m.
Raiders fall in tourney opener
5/25/12
Rough 1st inning sets up Tipp exit
5/25/12
Local Scoreboard for May 25
5/24/12
Ohio State AD says 12 violations minor
5/24/12
> More sports headlines

By By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:24 PM Friday, January 13, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — Given new life in double overtime, the Tecumseh High School boys basketball team wasn’t going to let a once-sure victory slip through its grasp.

Chase Culbertson had seven of his 14 points in double overtime as the Arrows beat Kenton Ridge 75-69 Friday in Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division action.

“Basically, we survived,” said Tecumseh coach Roger Culbertson. “We’ve got to tuck our tails tonight and be glad we got out of here with a W.”

Gabe Winans-Berner had 16 points for the Arrows (7-3, 4-1 CBC), while Trent Mead added 14 points and Codi Frank had 12 for Tecumseh, which made 9 of 10 free throws in the last four minutes to seal the victory.

Christian Thompson had 23 points for the Cougars (4-7, 0-5 CBC), including 11 in the fourth quarter. Nick Lias had 16 points and Warren Napper added 11 for KR.

The Arrows led by 11 to start the fourth quarter, but Kenton Ridge held them to no field goals in the stanza. They went 10-for-16 from the free throw line, but KR kept chipping at the lead and pulled to within one at 53-52 on a 3-pointer by Thompson with 12 seconds remaining.

After Frank hit two free throws, the Cougars tied the game on three free throws by Thompson with nine seconds remaining. The senior made the first two, then, after Tecumseh called a full timeout, nailed the third free throw to send the game to overtime.

“That’s what being a senior is about,” said Cougars coach Kris Spriggs. “The kids showed a lot of character and a lot of heart.”

In the first overtime, KR led 61-59 after two free throws by Thompson with 1:07 remaining.

Tecumseh tied the game at 61 when Scott Snarr, who had made just one of his last six free throws, nailed two foul shots with 47 seconds remaining.

“Those were some big shots after he struggled at the line,” Roger Culbertson said.

KR reclaimed the lead at 63-61 on a layup by Thompson with 28 seconds remaining in the first OT, but Snarr responded with a layup with 17 seconds left. The Cougars had a chance to win the game at the end of the first OT, but Thompson’s shot rimmed out — giving the Arrows new life.

The victory keeps the Arrows tied for first-place with Shawnee (6-3, 4-1) in the CBC Kenton Trail.

“We’ve got a bull’s eye on our back,” Roger Culbertson said. “Hopefully we learned from tonight. We got out of here lucky tonight.”

Share this article