BARNEVELD - The Comets picked up their biggest program win in nearly five years and its first over Barneveld since 1996.
"This was the biggest win that our program has had since I took over five years ago," head coach Derik Doescher said after his team won 79-76 in triple-overtime.
Albany erased a 21-15 deficit after the first quarter and took a 34-32 lead at halftime.
Both teams rattled back and forth in the second half and finished tied up at 56-56.
"We struggled at times. We had our backs up against the wall and we just kept fighting," Doescher said.
In the first overtime, the two teams swapped leads. Albany had a 2-point lead, but Barneveld's Ashton Monson hit a 3-pointer to give the Eagles the late lead. However, the two teams finished tied up again and the game was sent into a second overtime.
Barneveld took a late 4-point lead in the sixth period, but the Comet's Adam Zurfluh drilled a 3 with under a minute left - and was fouled. Zurfluh, who finished with 20 points, missed the free throw.
Albany got a stop on defense and T.J. Zweifel (22 points) sent up a 3 with under 20 seconds left. The ball clanked off the rim and into the open floor. Zweifel picked it up and was fouled by Josh Slaney. As Slaney hit the bench with his fifth foul, Zweifel missed the first free throw but hit the second to tie the game.
As the third overtime progressed, Albany fought hard.
"We got a stop and a bucket to go up by one," Doescher said in regards to the final lead Albany would need.
Barneveld missed shots on back-to-back possessions and Jake Lincicum was fouled with under 3 seconds to play. Lincicum nailed both free throws and a half-court desperation 3 couldn't fall for Barneveld.
"It was the most unbelievable high school game. Back and forth the whole way. Neither team gave up. We were lucky to come out on top," Doescher said.
Albany had three players in double figures, Zweifel (22 points), Tyler Bauman (18), and Zurfluh. Zurfluh hit four 3s in the game, Zweifel had another and Bauman played the final overtimes with four fouls and the Comets didn't need to substitute down the stretch.
Albany started the game struggling from the line before finishing 3-for-4 in the last few minutes. In the game, Albany finished 6-for-12 from the charity stripe.
Barneveld also had three players in double figures - Logan Johnson (21), Monson (17), and Slaney (11). Johnson, one of the Six Rivers East's most prolific players, was held to just 11 points through the first five periods. As a team, the Eagles hit eight 3s.
"Going back to that big win at Black Hawk last week, we've turned our season around. You always want to be playing your best ball late in the season, and I think we are doing that right now. We have four games left and they are all at home. Hopefully this will help propel us moving forward the rest of the way," Doescher said.
"This was the biggest win that our program has had since I took over five years ago," head coach Derik Doescher said after his team won 79-76 in triple-overtime.
Albany erased a 21-15 deficit after the first quarter and took a 34-32 lead at halftime.
Both teams rattled back and forth in the second half and finished tied up at 56-56.
"We struggled at times. We had our backs up against the wall and we just kept fighting," Doescher said.
In the first overtime, the two teams swapped leads. Albany had a 2-point lead, but Barneveld's Ashton Monson hit a 3-pointer to give the Eagles the late lead. However, the two teams finished tied up again and the game was sent into a second overtime.
Barneveld took a late 4-point lead in the sixth period, but the Comet's Adam Zurfluh drilled a 3 with under a minute left - and was fouled. Zurfluh, who finished with 20 points, missed the free throw.
Albany got a stop on defense and T.J. Zweifel (22 points) sent up a 3 with under 20 seconds left. The ball clanked off the rim and into the open floor. Zweifel picked it up and was fouled by Josh Slaney. As Slaney hit the bench with his fifth foul, Zweifel missed the first free throw but hit the second to tie the game.
As the third overtime progressed, Albany fought hard.
"We got a stop and a bucket to go up by one," Doescher said in regards to the final lead Albany would need.
Barneveld missed shots on back-to-back possessions and Jake Lincicum was fouled with under 3 seconds to play. Lincicum nailed both free throws and a half-court desperation 3 couldn't fall for Barneveld.
"It was the most unbelievable high school game. Back and forth the whole way. Neither team gave up. We were lucky to come out on top," Doescher said.
Albany had three players in double figures, Zweifel (22 points), Tyler Bauman (18), and Zurfluh. Zurfluh hit four 3s in the game, Zweifel had another and Bauman played the final overtimes with four fouls and the Comets didn't need to substitute down the stretch.
Albany started the game struggling from the line before finishing 3-for-4 in the last few minutes. In the game, Albany finished 6-for-12 from the charity stripe.
Barneveld also had three players in double figures - Logan Johnson (21), Monson (17), and Slaney (11). Johnson, one of the Six Rivers East's most prolific players, was held to just 11 points through the first five periods. As a team, the Eagles hit eight 3s.
"Going back to that big win at Black Hawk last week, we've turned our season around. You always want to be playing your best ball late in the season, and I think we are doing that right now. We have four games left and they are all at home. Hopefully this will help propel us moving forward the rest of the way," Doescher said.
