Harley Day of North Union leaps for a layup while a pair of Northwestern defenders attempt to block the shot. Day tallied 14 points to help the Wildcats defeat the Warriors 60-58 in overtime. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The North Union boys basketball team needed more than 48 minutes to settle its differences with the Warriors from Northwestern on Friday.
It took a defensive hold by the Wildcats at the end of regulation and an additional four minutes of overtime for them to notch their fourth straight victory, this time by a score of 60-58.
North Union head coach Brian Terrill said the final offensive push in the waning seconds of the contest was a play that fell apart.
However, the Wildcats did what was necessary to pull off the win.
“Our last possession was a high-low, but they denied Harley (Day) the ball, so he had to come out and then drive to the basket,” said Terrill. “(Zach) Vernon screened their big center.
“That is the play we needed,” he said. “He didn’t even think about it.”
The game ended with some explosive offense for North Union, but it didn’t start that way.
The Wildcats struggled for the majority of the contest to stay with the Warriors’ offense.
NU used the press early in the first quarter and notched four turnovers.
The Warriors’ three-point shooting, though, that gave them the early 15-12 lead.
The Wildcats were able to answer with some offense of their own in the second quarter.
Preston Crabtree sank a pair of three’s on his way to eight points.
The Wildcats took their first lead of the game with a 29-28 edge at the half.
Terrill said it was a combination of a deep bench and the Wildcats’ pressing defense that helped them win.
“We played a lot of guys, so I think our depth was a factor,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about what set we are going run or who I am going to sub in next. That is how I have changed my role.”
NU’s offense struggled in the third quarter and the Cats yielded their lead by only tallying eight points.
Terrill said quick shooting led to the lack of offense.
“I have to find away to get this team to turn off the five–second shot clock,” he said. “We didn’t reverse the ball and we forced passes and shots.”
The forced passes led to multiple turnovers, something Terrill said he hasn’t seen much out of his squad.
“Ball-security wise, that was a horrible game for us,” he said. “It was by far the most turnovers we have had this year and we still found a way to win.”
With the lack of scoring by the Cats, the Warriors retook the lead at 41-37 at the end of the third set .
The Warriors took their offensive momentum into the final stanza and stretched their lead to 45-39 before the Cats could get their defensive press back in action.
A key three-point shot by Connor Terrill started reeling the Warriors back in.
A steal breakaway by Trevyn Feasel pulled NU to within 45-44.
The Warriors stretched their lead to three with 2:10 left in regulation, but the younger Terrill hit from beyond the arc to tie the contest.
Terrill said the talent on this year’s team all contributed to the win.
“It just seemed like everybody made a play in the final four minutes of regulation and overtime,” he said.
The Warriors took a two-point lead with a minute remaining.
However, it was a solid drive down the lane by Day with 16 seconds left that tied the contest at 52-52 and forced overtime.
Day continued his hot hand in OT, giving NU a 58-56 lead after a steal that led to a layup.
The Warriors tied the contest from the free throw line.
With 15 seconds left, Day found a seam and drove for a layup to give the Cats their fourth win of the season.
Terrill said it was timely steals and solid energy from the bench that helped the Cats triumph.
“It seemed like when we needed a basket, we got a turnover in the press, threw it ahead and picked up those points,” he said. “The energy off the bench has never been better.”
North Union will return to action Friday at Indian Lake.
North Union
Crabtree 7-0-16, Day 6-2-14, Terrill 4-1-11, Vernon 3-3-9, Feasel 3-0-6, A. Krebehenne 1-0-2, J. Krebehenne 1-0-2. Totals 25-6-60.
Three-point goals: Crabtree 2, Terrill 2.
Northwestern
Burns 8-0-17, Dennis 6-2-15, Spencer 3-4-10, Hart 2-0-5, Embry 2-1-5, Reynolds 2-0-4, Crew 1-0-2. Totals 24-7-58.
Three-point goals: Burns 1, Dennis 1, Hart 1