Hardwood Heroes
Alexander Spartans take down Nelsonville-York in double overtime thriller
By: Vernon Eguakun
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Albany Ohio, (WOUB) – In a double overtime thriller on senior night the Alexander Spartans defeated the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes 63-56.
The Buckeyes had a four-point lead with two forty left in the first quarter then Spartan guard Kyler D’augustino hit a three pointer then got back-to-back steals giving Alexander an 11-8 with a minute forty left in the first. The first quarter would end with the Spartans up 13-10.
In the middle of the second quarter Alexander found themselves up eight due to their good shot making and offensive rebounding after missed shots giving their offense second possessions. Nelsonville-York then went on an 8-0 run tying the game due to their stellar defense forcing three straight steals. With just three seconds left in the quarter Kyler D’augustino forced another steal and finished on the offensive end giving the Spartans a 28-26 lead at the half.
The third quarter was back and forth as both teams were trading shots. Spartan guard Jagger Cain knocked down a three to start the quarter then with a minute left in the third hit another big three tying the game at 40 a piece. With just five seconds left, Buckeye power forward Leighton Loge was fouled and hit one of two free throws giving Nelsonville-York a 41-40 at the end of the third.
In an intense fourth quarter which saw both teams going at each other hard the Buckeyes were up 47-46 then Spartan guard Jagger Cain hit a clutch three giving Alexander a two-point lead. With 20 seconds remaining Nelsonville-York tied the game with a mid-range shot from center Trenton Morrissey. 49-49 was the final score sending the game into overtime.
In the first period of overtime both teams struggled to score until Leighton Loge was fouled on a put back attempt with 40 seconds left in the period and was able to knock down both free throws giving the Buckeyes a 51-49 lead. The Spartans tied the game at 51 with 10 seconds left as Kyler D’augustino hit both of his free throws sending the game into double overtime.
The Buckeyes had a 55-51 lead when Spartan guard Dylan Allison hit a big 3 making it a one-point game then on the next possession Alexander regained the lead as center Zach Barnhouse scored off a putback. The Spartans were able to get critical defensive stops and hit their free throws to close out the game.
For Nelsonville-York their shift focuses to the playoffs as they will host Wellston at home
For Alexander they will look to roll with the momentum as they play River Valley next.