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BOYS BB: Cass survives as Winamac's last-second attempt draws iron

beau wicker, pharos-tribune, logansport, ind.
·4 min read

Mar. 2—WALTON — Winamac had a chance to beat sectional host Lewis Cass on a 3-point buzzer-beater but Brendan Hines' shot was just off the mark Friday night.

The Kings survived the Warriors by erasing an eight-point halftime deficit in a 50-48 win.

"Our guys just continue to battle," Cass coach Eric Branz said. "We've been tested every single game. Throughout the entire year we've had three guys in our program who played all 22 games that we've played so far. The adversity that we've gone through, that's what got us this win tonight."

LJ Hillis scored 23 points to lead the Kings. He had nine of their 11 points in the fourth quarter to lead their comeback. Bryce Rudd was also in double figures with 12.

"[Hillis] continues to be our leader. He refuses to lose," Branz said. "He wants the ball. He gets in great position. His teammates trust him. Even in the huddle he wasn't about him scoring. He was about getting guys flares when the ball enters in the post. I'm proud of him for that. It's not necessarily about scoring. For him it's about winning and if he needs to score 30 points to win a game then he's going to put everybody on his back and do that.

"But Bryce Rudd stepped up big for us, hit a couple 3s or a pullup jump shot for us. I think that was in the third quarter at a time when we really needed somebody to fill that role in scoring. And Kolten Young had a heck of a game off the bench. Again not really knowing what he was going to give us with his ankle injury, he looked pretty explosive. As soon as he went in he went in and got an offensive rebound and created an extra possession for us. Everybody else did exactly what they needed to do to squeak one out."

Brendan Hines led the Warriors (12-13) with 23 points. His 3-point attempt at the buzzer that could have won it hit back iron. Jayse Bentle added 11 points.

Branz feared Hines' shot might be one of those March moments. Over at the Class 3A Mississinewa Sectional, Mississinewa knocked off No. 8 Bellmont on a buzz-beater Tuesday. Oak Hill beat Maconaquah on a late 3-pointer Wednesday. On the same night, Peru beat Norwell on a buzzer-beating 3.

Hines was 5 of 5 shooting from 3 on Friday before his miss at the buzzer. It was a tough look on a pullup from NBA range.

"I was just thinking about those games over at Mississinewa when that 3 was shot at the end of the game," Branz said. "I'm thinking, 'oh, not us.' We're fortunate that that one did not go in and we were able to advance to tomorrow night."

Winamac took a 17-9 lead after one on a halfcourt shot by Justin Potthoff at the buzzer. The Warriors maintained a 28-20 lead at halftime. The Kings got to within 41-39 after three.

The Kings took their first lead of the game on a Hillis three-point play with 4:17 remaining that made it 46-43.

The Warriors tied it on a Hines 3 with 2:00 left. Hillis hit 1 of 2 free throws to put the Kings up one. The Warriors missed on three shots to take the lead. Kolten Young hit two free throws to put the Kings up 49-46 with 18.2 seconds to go.

John Malchow drew a foul and his shot attempt just rolled off the rim. He hit both free throws to bring the Warriors within one with 7.3 seconds left. Hillis made 1 of 2 free throws with 6.3 seconds to go to make it 50-48. Hines' shot was just off the mark as the Kings held on.

Young had seven points for Cass. Trey Johnson and Brennan Deeter added four apiece. Brody Hillis pulled down a team-high five rebounds.

Branz added senior Owen Lowe, their fourth leading scorer at 6.2 ppg, is out for the season with an injury.

John Malchow added nine points for Winamac. Bentle and Potthoff led the effort on the boards with five rebounds apiece.

Winamac lost despite shooting 10 of 18 from 3-point range (56%). The Warriors missed their first five free throws but made their last eight to finish 62% from the line. Cass shot 10 of 13 (77%) from the charity stripe.

The stats were close across the board. Cass shot 17 of 31 from the field (55%) to Winamac's 15 of 31 (48%). Cass was 3 of 11 from 3 (27%). Both teams had 18 rebounds. Cass committed 10 turnovers to Winamac's 12.