The Sturgeon Bay Clippers were able to fight their way back into the game and eventually beat the Sevastopol Pioneers 61-60 in overtime Friday night in Institute.

 

The game had everything you could want in a high school basketball game. Neighboring towns, scoring streaks, double-digit leads, offensive fouls, players fouling out, bench players contributing, loud student sections, teacher appreciation night, overtime, and, to cap it all off...free throws with less than 5 seconds to decide the game.

 

The Clippers opened the game on a 9-2 run, beginning with a layup by Braden Evers on the opening possession. Pioneer head coach Tom Ash called a timeout, and his team responded with a 17-2 run of their own. At halftime, the score was a 6-point lead for the hometown Pioneers, 26-20.

The entire second half was a back-and-forth slugfest that included several lead changes. The biggest lead in the second half was 8 points. Sam Fruzyna hit three momentum-grabbing three pointers in the second half. Jackson Star would foul out late in the half, ending his night early with a game-leading 19 points. Logan Schuh would foul out in overtime, capping his night off with just 3 points. In his stead, Andrew Weisner would be a significant contributor to the Pioneers. He led the Pioneers in scoring in each half, with 8 in the first and 10 in the second. 

 

Overtime was much the same as the second half. It all came down to the final seconds of the game. The game was tied at 60, with the Clippers having the ball and under 30 seconds to go. Hayden Tracy would dribble down the clock and get fouled driving to the hoop as time ticked away, stopping the clock at 4.9 seconds. 

 

After a Pioneer timeout, Tracy headed to the line for his two free throws. The first came up short, giving the Pioneers' student sections added reason to get loud. However, Tracy made his second, giving the Clippers a one-point lead and the victory.

 

Leading scorers for each team...

Clippers...Jackson Star-19, Braden Evers-13, Sam Fruzyna-9

Pioneers...Andrew Weisner-18, Zaul Valdivia-10, Pailuie Gnabasik-10