Game Audio Below:
Willow won the tip but had it stolen away by Mountain Grove to start the ball game. Mountain Grove ended up scoring on their first possession. But willow came back and scored a three to take the lead. Willow got it back and scored another three again back-to-back. The bears were off and running in the 1st quarter, already hitting double digits a couple of minutes in, while mountain grove only scored one bucket. Mountain Grove then caught back up to the bears after a timeout was called from Mountain Grove’s coach. Willow’s defense was playing impressive in the quarter. They got multiple steals on Mountain Grove and caused them to make many turnovers. The 1st quarter ended with the score of 19-15, a very close game between both teams. The second quarter started with the panthers having the ball and scoring an easy bucket. After willow missed their first two possessions, Mountain Grove tied up the score. The panthers were on a 8-0 run in the middle of the second quarter, containing Willow’s offense well. The bears were getting frustrated as the second quarter was ending as they were having a difficult time scoring. The halftime score was 28 – 23, with mountain grove leading, and only 4 points in the quarter from willow.
The second half started with 2 missed shots from willow, but they managed to steal it back and call a timeout before the ball was turned over. Willow hit a nice wide open three to close the score gap and caused Mountain Grove to also take a timeout. A technical foul was called on 2 players one from each team after a charging foul on the panthers. The bears did a good job catching up to the Panthers, they were close to regaining the lead late in the third quarter. The 3rd quarter ended 35-32, with Mountain grove still in the lead. Willow started the 4th quarter with the ball. Both Willow and Mountain Grove missed their first possessions. The pressure was starting to set in on both teams knowing that one bucket can change the game. The panthers kept increasing their lead In the middle of the quarter, the bears had to start scoring quick in order to regain the lead in this game. The bears had plenty of looks, but they just could not connect. As 2 minutes were left the panthers started to waste time and causing Willow to foul. Willow hit a three to cut down the lead to a 2 point game. Panthers turned the ball over with a couple seconds left in the game. Willow had the chance to tie with a final shot. The panthers fouled during a 3 point shot, causing willow to have 3 free throws in order to tie the game. Kolby James made the first one, made the second one, made the third one. Going to overtime.
Overtime was scoreless for the first half it. The panthers got a trip to the line after a foul. One free throw was made. Then a foul was called again and the panthers got another trip to the line. Both free throws were made. Willow tied the score with a 3. Panthers got another trip to the line after another foul by the bears. One free throw was made. Panthers had another 3 point lead. Panthers got the rebound after a miss three and got an and 1 to crush the bears’ spirits. The bears got a layup to go down by 4 and called a timeout with 1 minute left to try and solidify the win. The panthers got more free throws to go up by 7. The final score was 62 – 55, with Mountain Grove taking the win.
