Poland vs South Range

Coming into the game South Range and Poland are the top two teams in the NE8 at number one and two respectively.

South Range is leading by one game when they took care of business on their home court against the Bulldogs in the first game.

oth teams are very high powered and have records of Poland at 12-5 (10-1 in the conference) and South Range at 13-3 (10-0 in the conference). It was a very hyped up matchup with both teams knowing that the conference was on the line. The game started and right away Poland stepped on the gas and went on a quick run that forced South Range to call a timeout.

South Range was able to chip away at Poland’s lead. It was a close game the whole time with each team exchanging runs. Going into halftime Poland was up by 6 points.

It was a very back and forth game neither team would let the other pull away. Coming out of half, nothing changed, the game went back and forth while staying very close. Poland was down late with two minutes left on the clock.

Senior Jacob Hayes was able to start Poland’s comeback with a bucket and one. Poland’s defense was able to lock down and do their job and once they got the ball back Senior Jas Stefancin was able to hit a three pointer to put them within three with little time left.

Poland’s defence was again able to shut down South Range and get the ball back. Then senior Oliver McCully was able to get a bucket and go to the line. He was able to sink the free throw to tie up the game at 58-58. South Range tried to get a bucket but again Poland’s defense was able to get a steal and get the ball back with less than a minute left.

They dribbled and called a timeout. Out of the timeout, they inbounded the ball and dribbled around, at 17 seconds left on the clock they called another timeout setting up a chance for a game winning shot. Out of the timeout, the ball was inbounded to junior Carmine Tukalo where he dribbled around trying to find a shot. With the clock ticking down he threw up a very deep three that was contested by two South Range players and was able to sink it as the clock expired. The crowd went crazy as the players rushed the court.

Poland won it at the buzzer 61-58 to tie up the conference. Poland will go on to play Boardman at Boardman on friday.