Jonathan Alder’s Jackson Izzard hit the game-winning three-pointer with nine seconds to play on Friday.
As a result, the Pioneers (15-0) defeated Springfield Shawnee, 45-44.
Alder trailed by five with approximately four minutes left to play.
Peyton Heiss nailed a trifecta to narrow JA’s deficit to two with a couple minutes left on the timer.
He later scored to tie the battle at 42-all.
The Braves hit a basket for a 44-42 edge.
Izzard stole the ball with 30 seconds to play and then drilled the trifecta that kept the Pioneers’ record perfect.
Izzard was the lone Pioneer in double figures with 17 points.
He was followed by Heiss and Joey Walker-both with eight, Taber Headings-five, Tyler Begin-three, Gavin Heimlich-two and Grant Welsch-two.
The Pioneers are scheduled to play today at Canton Glenoak in the Kosta Koufous Classic.
—
Panthers win in double OT
The Fairbanks Panthers escaped Northeastern by the skin of their teeth on Friday.
The Panthers maintained their lead in the Ohio Heritage Conference North Division with a 55-54 double overtime win.
The Panthers had one of their better free throw shooting performances of the season.
They needed nearly every charity toss in their 17-of-20 performance to up their overall record to 12-5 and their conference mark to 9-4.
FHS held an 11-8 lead after the first quarter and took a 17-16 edge at the half.
The Jets rallied for a 29-25 margin by the end of the third quarter.
Northeastern held a 37-35 lead with three seconds left in regulation.
Carter Schultz of Fairbanks cashed on a pair of charity tosses to tie the game at 37.
The score then remained deadlocked at 43-all by the end of the first overtime.
Schultz scored 10 of his 12 points during the overtime sessions.
Wyatt Miller sank five clutch free throws to help seal the victory.
Miller topped the Panthers in scoring with 13 points.
Other point-producers for FHS (which will host Greenon on Monday) were Braylon Green-nine, Andy Higinbotham-nine, Trey Good-eight and Dylan Tobe and Kyler Wilson-both with two.
—
Strong second half pushes NU past IL
The North Union boys basketball squad had a strong showing in the fourth quarter on Friday to pull off an 85-66 win over Central Buckeye Conference opponent Indian Lake.
Neither team could pull ahead after the opening stanza as the first quarter came to a close with a 16-16 stalemate.
The Lakers took a 36-33 edge at the half.
The Wildcats came out after the turn and dumped 22 points on the opposing team.
As such, NU held a 55-51 lead going into the final eight minutes of action.
In the fourth quarter, NU made a strong offensive showing by outscoring the Lakers 30-15 to seal the victory.
Preston Crabtree led the Wildcats with 20 points, followed by Aaron Krebehenne-19, Zach Vernon-17, Trevyn Feasel-14, Owen Davis-nine and Tucker Wedding, Max Parish and Hudson Davis-each with two.
The Wildcats are now 15-2 on the season and are scheduled to return to action Friday at Benjamin Logan.
—
Monarchs fall to TW
Marysville’s boys record slipped to 7-7 with Friday’s 62-56 loss at Thomas Worthington.
Jack Christian led MHS with 21 points.
He was followed by Ryan Barlow-15, Garrett Taylor-13, Evan Brown-three and Riley Karnes and Jason Moore-each with two.
—
Cardinals drop game
Triad’s boys hoopsters slipped to 1-16 overall and 1-12 in the Ohio Heritage Conference on Friday.
The Cardinals dropped a 70-48 verdict to West Jefferson.
The Rough Riders held a 25-13 lead after the first quarter and a 39-23 margin at the turn.
West Jefferson took a 63-36 spread into the final eight minutes of action.
Ayden Spriggs led Triad with 17 points.
The Cardinals will play at West Liberty-Salem this evening.