ALBANY - Clutch free-throw shooting by Black Hawk seniors Shawn Woodruff and Heath Butler helped the Warriors tip Albany 56-54 in a Six Rivers East Conference double overtime nail-biter.
With just 0.8 seconds to go in the fourth quarter and Albany clinging to a two-point lead, Woodruff made two pressure-packed free throws to send the game to the first overtime.
"It was a total effort play to get that offensive rebound," Black Hawk coach Charlie Anderson said of Woodruff. "He always gives 110 percent. We are lucky to have a kid like that on our team."
Both teams scored eight points in the first extra session. Late in the second overtime, Woodruff grabbed a key offensive rebound. That led to an extra possession and Butler being fouled. Butler, who scored a game-high 23 points, made two free throws to clinch the win.
"We proved we could play with one of the top teams projected in the conference," Albany coach T.J. Zweifel said. "We had our opportunities, we just let it slip away."
Woodruff scored 11 points and senior teammate Troy Wellnitz added 10 points for the Warriors, which improve to 2-1, 1-0 Six Rivers East.
Albany junior Tyler Dahl scored a team-high 18 points. Senior teammate Mitchell Trow added 14 points and junior Cole Trapp chipped in 12 points.
With the loss, Albany drops to 1-4, 0-1.
Albany plays Pecatonica on Tuesday. It will be another test for the Comets.
"We have to turn the page and focus on Pec," Zweifel said.
Barneveld 49, Monticello 37
BARNEVELD - Monticello senior Ben May tallied 19 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort against Barneveld Thursday.
Monticello (1-3, 0-1 Six Rivers East) lost 49-37 despite leading for much of the first half. After the Ponies led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter, Barneveld pushed back to tie the game at 24-24 going into the half. Barneveld outscored the Ponies 25-13 in the second half to seal the win.
Barneveld shot 16 of 29 from the free throw line in the game.
Barneveld was led by Brycen Sorenson, who scored 27 points. Matthew Myers chipped in nine points.
Senior Matt Andrews chipped in eight points for the Ponies.
Monticello will play at Highland on Saturday.
Darlington 59,
Iowa-Grant 45
DARLINGTON - Senior Cole McDonald scored a game-high 23 points to power Darlington to a 59-45 win over Iowa-Grant.
McDonald hit three of the Redbirds' five 3-pointers. Senior teammate Ben Muhlstein scored 19 points. Darlington (3-0, 2-0 SWAL) made 18 of 29 free throws and outscored the Panthers 37-28 in the second half.
With just 0.8 seconds to go in the fourth quarter and Albany clinging to a two-point lead, Woodruff made two pressure-packed free throws to send the game to the first overtime.
"It was a total effort play to get that offensive rebound," Black Hawk coach Charlie Anderson said of Woodruff. "He always gives 110 percent. We are lucky to have a kid like that on our team."
Both teams scored eight points in the first extra session. Late in the second overtime, Woodruff grabbed a key offensive rebound. That led to an extra possession and Butler being fouled. Butler, who scored a game-high 23 points, made two free throws to clinch the win.
"We proved we could play with one of the top teams projected in the conference," Albany coach T.J. Zweifel said. "We had our opportunities, we just let it slip away."
Woodruff scored 11 points and senior teammate Troy Wellnitz added 10 points for the Warriors, which improve to 2-1, 1-0 Six Rivers East.
Albany junior Tyler Dahl scored a team-high 18 points. Senior teammate Mitchell Trow added 14 points and junior Cole Trapp chipped in 12 points.
With the loss, Albany drops to 1-4, 0-1.
Albany plays Pecatonica on Tuesday. It will be another test for the Comets.
"We have to turn the page and focus on Pec," Zweifel said.
Barneveld 49, Monticello 37
BARNEVELD - Monticello senior Ben May tallied 19 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort against Barneveld Thursday.
Monticello (1-3, 0-1 Six Rivers East) lost 49-37 despite leading for much of the first half. After the Ponies led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter, Barneveld pushed back to tie the game at 24-24 going into the half. Barneveld outscored the Ponies 25-13 in the second half to seal the win.
Barneveld shot 16 of 29 from the free throw line in the game.
Barneveld was led by Brycen Sorenson, who scored 27 points. Matthew Myers chipped in nine points.
Senior Matt Andrews chipped in eight points for the Ponies.
Monticello will play at Highland on Saturday.
Darlington 59,
Iowa-Grant 45
DARLINGTON - Senior Cole McDonald scored a game-high 23 points to power Darlington to a 59-45 win over Iowa-Grant.
McDonald hit three of the Redbirds' five 3-pointers. Senior teammate Ben Muhlstein scored 19 points. Darlington (3-0, 2-0 SWAL) made 18 of 29 free throws and outscored the Panthers 37-28 in the second half.
