SedgCo boys triumph in overtime

Proving to be two quite evenly matched teams, Holyoke and Sedgwick County kept things interesting in high school boys basketball Dec. 14. After going into overtime, though, the visiting Cougars ultimately won 47-40 over the Dragons.

In the first quarter of Saturday’s game, six 2-point shots were made by six different players, and no individual athlete appeared to be dominant. With three field goals each, the two teams were separated by free throws. Miles Sprague made both of Holyoke’s two attempted foul shots, but Sedgwick County had five chances from the line. With four successful shots, the Cougars led 10-8 after one quarter.

Similarities continued into the second quarter. Both teams posted three 2-pointers and three of five attempted free throws. One additional 3-point shot extended the Cougar lead to 22-17 at the half.

The third quarter was a low-scoring one. Holyoke added seven points to the board, and Sedgwick County put up eight, creeping ahead even further.

Trailing 30-24 going into the final period, the Dragons still had some fight left in them.

“We played a great fourth quarter,” coach Marcus Kammer said. Ethan Johnson scored five points on his own, and Kaison Kinnie, Slaten Burris, Sprague and Caleb Deaver put up two apiece. The Dragons held the Cougars to just seven points — five from the foul line — and the game was tied at 37 as the clock neared 0:00. HHS had the opportunity to have the last shot but simply didn’t get a good look, and the game went into overtime.

Though the Cougars didn’t have much to show in the way of outside shots during regulation play, they quickly sank a pair of 3s in overtime and took the lead. The Dragons, however, couldn’t buy a bucket when it came to the extra quarter.

When all was said and done, Sedgwick County won 47-40.

Johnson was the lead scorer for the Dragons in Saturday’s game with 11 points. He made four field goals and three of four attempted free throws. Sprague contributed 10 points to the team’s total. Burris led in rebounds, pulling down six, and Deaver blocked three shots.

As a team, HHS shot 57% from the foul line. Sedgwick County, on the other hand, made 82% of its free throws.

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