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Vikes make history in 5 OT win

todd lancaster, washington times-herald, ind.
·5 min read

Mar. 2—LOOGOOTEE — The most iconic sectional venue in the state deserved the state's most exciting game on Saturday — and that's what it got.

Not only was it the best tournament game in the state this year, history may remember it as one of the most exciting ever, anywhere at any time, as No. 1 B-R used five overtimes to knock off No. 3 Orleans, 75-67.

The Vikes needed three OTs to beat Orleans early in the season, but both teams took it to another level in front of a fully-packed Jack Butcher Arena on Saturday. It was a game that anyone in attendance will never forgot.

The lead shifted throughout the game and both teams had chances to win all night long. Orleans did have a 63-62 early in the fifth OT, but B-R outscored them 16-8 during the final four minutes to secure the win.

The win was Barr-Reeves 23rd of the season and although the scoring was limited to just five players, it was incredibly balanced with Seth Wagler and Donnie Miller getting 18 and Braydon Knepp with 21 to lead, 10 from Kendall Graber and eight from Evan Wehmeier. It wasn't just the Viking offense, they had only six turnovers during the night.

"I've never seen anything like this game. It was just absolutely unbelievable. And I'm really still kind of in shock. If there was a better atmosphere than this tonight, I'd love to see it. My answer is 'no way.' There's no way there's a better atmosphere anywhere, this one will go down in history. There's been a lot of great games on this floor. This is probably the greatest game maybe ever on this floor," said B-R coach Josh Thompson.

"We never gave up and that's been on the theme of seasons. We've got down and our guys just never give up. Never give up at all. Give these kids all the credit and give God all the glory all the time."

The Bulldogs took an early 6-2 led, in spite of a buck from Seth Wagler. Although Wagler and Graber added baskets, Orleans Rylan Crocker hit the game's first 3-pointer to make it 11-6. However Wagler began to take over and pulled B-R back to within one point. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs put up up the last four points of the quarter to go up, 15-10.

Knepp stopped the Orleans run with a triple and Graber went deep to again pull the Vikes to within one. Graber stayed hot with another 3-pointer to make it 19-21 with 2:10 left in the half. The Vikes maintain possession for the final two minutes of the half and were able to get two shots in the final seconds, but Orleans still lead 21-19 at the halfway mark.

Wehmeier tied the game early in the third for the first time since 2-2 and then gave B-R its first lead at 23-21. Wagler had six unanswered points, before Orleans made its first field goal of the quarter at 4:30. Four straight from Xavier Alston and a 4-point play from Bruce Jones helped the Bulldogs go from 24-27 to 35-29 in just two minutes. Miller and Wagler cut the margin to just two at 33-35, which is how the quarter would end as both teams scored 14 during the quarter.

Bulldog Carter Allen and B-R's Wagler traded baskets to start the final quarter. Orleans led by five, but Miller and Knepp got free for baskets and Barr-Reeve was done just 40-39 with 5:11 to play.

Miller added basket but Jones picked up a transition bucket, however, Knepp added a clutch 3-pointer with 1:43 left to tie it at 44-all. The Vikes got the ball back with just under 1:00 to and Miller had a chance in the final seconds, but just like the first meeting of the year it would require overtime.

Knepp opened with an OT bucket and Wehmeier made it 48-48, It was tied at 50 as well, and again would require a second OT. The second OT would only feature four points — two free throws from Allen and a jumper from Knepp with :24 to send it into a third OT.

Miller turned a steal into a basket to give B-R a 54-52 lead, but Orleans tied it and got the ball back on missed free throws, they held for the final shot and missed sending the game into an unprecedented fourth OT.

Wagler and Wehmeier both hit free throws to give the Vikes a 58-57 lead, but Hall hit a jumper to give the Bulldogs the lead back with 1:15 to play. Wagler tied it at 59-all and a Miller steal looked like it would be the dagger but the lay up didn't connect and the game went to a fifth OT tied at 59-59, however, Allen and Alston had fouled out for Orleans, limiting Orleans' firepower.

After Orleans went up by one to open the fifth OT, while Miller gave the Vikes a lead with a triple and a traditional 3-point play, in the fifth OT. Knepp pushed the margin to three, while a loose ball lead to a Graber break away for a basket to make it 69-63 to secure the vin. B-R finished off the game with free throw to take the title 75-67 for its first sectional title since 2021 and 18th since 1980.

Ian Hall and Bryce Jones had 16 each for Orleans as they finished the year at 21-4.

Barr-Reeve now takes on 22-4 No. 4 Christian Academy at Regional at Loogootee at 1 p.m. In the 4 p.m. game, Trinity Lutheran (14-11) vs. Evansville Christian (23-2).