Tigers lose heartbreaker in OT

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NEW BOSTON – It was a memorable night Saturday evening at Glenwood High School, packed with a spectacular basketball game, and a special ceremony honoring one of the great teams in New Boston basketball history. While the night was most certainly memorable, the memory was bittersweet for the Tigers.

In a truly exciting, and very physical basketball game, the Glenwood Tigers ran out of comebacks, as they lost to the West Union Dragons 65-62 in overtime.

Trailing by 12 points with less than a quarter of basketball left to play, the Tigers made a tremendous comeback to eventually tie the game, and send it into overtime.

The comeback was nothing short of spectacular. The Tigers trailed 57-50 with only 1:06 left in the game, but cut that lead to only three points with only 12 seconds remaining in regulation. Thanks to a few West Union turnovers, and the Tigers being able to draw some crucial fouls, New Boston’s Kade Conley tied the game at 58-58, and was sent to the line to shoot one free throw after being fouled.

Conley’s free throw was off-target, leaving the game a tie at the end of regulation.

The Tigers got off to a quick start in overtime, as RJ Hayes gave New Boston a quick 60-58 lead in the opening seconds of the period.

Unfortunately for New Boston, Drake Truitt picked up his fifth personal foul shortly thereafter, fouling out, and leaving one of New Boston’s best offensive threats watching the game from the bench.

The Tigers would simply run out of comebacks though, after having a 62-59 lead in overtime, the Dragons began a comeback of their own, ultimately taking the lead from New Boston, and going on to win 65-62.

“I’m probably more frustrated than anything, because we probably let one slip away tonight,” Tigers coach Scott Jenkins said. “Shooting 13 for 26 from the foul line, missing some shots by the basket, and we had some good looks and didn’t convert.”

Jenkins said rebound was a flaw for his team Saturday night as well.

“We have to get tougher around the boards, and be more physical,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to have to get better at that.”

The Tigers showed a lot of heart in Saturday’s game, coming back to tie the game just before the end of regulation, erasing a 12 point deficit.

“I’m proud of the boys for not giving up,” Jenkins said. “They were fighting adversity, and we pressed and fought and clawed to give ourselves a chance to win the game. In the overtime, it was just unfortunate.”

Drake Truitt’s departure in the game definitely had a negative impact on the offense in overtime. Truitt finished the night with a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

Kyle McQuithy had a great night shooting as well. McQuithy finished the night with 20 points. He was a crucial part in the fourth quarter comeback for New Boston, scoring seven points in that quarter. McQuithy hit five three-pointers on the night, over half of all New Boston threes.

Kade Conley had 15 points on the night, eight of which came in the fourth quarter, including the game tying shot.

Even though the Tigers finished on the losing side of the scoreboard Saturday, they showed their ability to not only come back from a double figure deficit, but also an ability to hit clutch shots when they were needed most.

The night was also memorable because of the reunion of the 1971 Tigers team, the last team to win the SOC title before it split into two divisions.

“I really appreciate the 1971 team coming back,” Jenkins said. “It was a nice ceremony tonight, and a great way to recognize one of the great Tiger basketball teams. Some of them came from a long ways back here to the high school, and it was just a great night for Tiger basketball.”

New Boston will face the South Webster Jeeps Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Glenwood High School.

Box Score

1 2 3 4 OT Final
New Boston 13 15 8 22 4 62
West Union 19 11 14 15 6 65

Individual Statistics

New Boston – Truitt 6-7-20, McQuithy 7-1-20, Conley 6-2-15, Caldwell 1-1-4, Hayes 1-1-3

3-point field goals – New Boston 8 (McQuithy 5, Truitt, Conley, Caldwell)

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By Michael Hamilton

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Reach Michael Hamilton at 740-353-3101, ext 1931 or on Twitter @MikeHamilton82.

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