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Pecatonica and Highland basket fans have played very few triple overtime games in their respective school athletic annals - but players on both ballclubs will now always be able to say they played in a triple OT game - after first year coach Matt Fink's Pecatonica Vikings edged coach Chad Paquette's Cardinals 54-51 Friday night on the Blanchardville hardwood. The non-conference boys' tilt was the opener for both ball teams - from opposite divisions of the Six Rivers Conference.
Highland built an early lead and after 5'11" senior Nic Pierick scored on a rebound, put-back type hoop with 37 seconds to play in the opening quarter, the Cards led 22-14.
But, on the final play of the period, Viking 5'9" freshman Brooks Chandler gave the home fans a taste of what would follow - when he nailed a long distance three-pointer at the buzzer.
Highland senior and long distance shooting threat Mitchell Riley gave the Cards a 24-17 lead early in the third quarter but consecutive Pec hoops by Dillon Conwell, Nate Loyd and a trey by Justin Mabin created a 24-24 tie.
From there, the teams traded hoops for much of the third and fourth periods and yes through not one, not two, but yes, three overtime periods.
Each team scored just two points in the first OT and in the second OT, a trey by Riley, followed by a steal and lay-up by Bailey Bodenstein, put Highland on top by five points - before Chandler responded with back to back three pointers. The Pec freshman later added a lay-up to account for all of Pec's points in the second OT, but another three-pointer by Riley sent the teams into yet a third overtime period.
Viking senior Dillon Conwell scored the first 4 points of the period, Drew Schliem added a pair of free throws with 27 seconds left to play and Chandler added another free throw at 10.5 seconds to seal the win.
The Cardinals tried a pair of treys in the closing 14 seconds, but neither shot would fall.
Chandler finished with 21 for Pecatonica in the first game of his prep hoops career and Bodenstein paced the Cardinals with 18 markers.
The win was memorable - if not nailbiting, for both mentors - and marked the first head coaching win for first year Vikings' coach Matt Fink.
"We thought they'd use their dribble drive stuff - which they did early, and to prepare, we had worked hard on switching off the ball dribbles. We did a fairly good job early - but then ran into some troubles. Ultimately, I guess one would say we tried several different things - used a 1-2-2 zone, used a 2-3 zone and we tried to frustrate them," said Fink. "But, Highland kept making plays and while nothing we tried defensively worked perfectly, the switching made them think - and to get out of sorts at times. It was a memorable win and yes, there's room for improvement."
"I guess I won't often single out individual kids, but what a night it as for Brooks Chandler, our freshman. Because, while we wanted to limit what we asked of him on the floor tonight, our starting point guard, Jordan Mabin, got the two quick fouls - so Brooks had a growing up process to undertake - in a hurry. I know he made some mistakes, but overall, he was outstanding. What was great was that when he made a mistake here or there - he responded to it positively, knocked down those three-pointers (six in total) and gave us lifts. Drew Schliem hit some big shots, had big free throws and Jon Hendrickson - what an athlete. He also did things well. I complemented all our kids on how they contributed - and sure, they made mistakes, but as a coach, I was so proud of them because they've had to learn an entirely new system these past two weeks, have tried to eliminate old, bad habits and we've thrown a lot at them," added Fink.
Highland coach Chad Paquette was also proud of his shorthanded ball team - playing in a road opener.
"I told the kids I was so proud of them for battling and battling, because we played shorthanded - really with just five guys, part of the time," said Paquette. "You never know what to expect with the first game of the year - team chemistry is something that's evolving, and every team has questions, but overall, I was pleased, I was proud of them for battling and battling. Mitchell (Riley), a senior, stepped up for us tonight- and gave us some big baskets late - and all our kids contributed and played hard. Our kids fought their butts off."
"I give lots of credit to Pec. They were prepared and they are an improved team. Defensively, we switched thing up the best we could. We had some youngsters playing more than perhaps we should have expected to - but I was very proud of our kids' efforts."
Pecatonica 54 Highland 51
Pecatonica 4 3 9 11 (17) - 54
Highland 8 14 6 9 (14) - 51
Pecatonica (fg-ft-tp) Nate Loyd 1-0-2, Drew Schliem 4-2-11, Brooks Chandler 7-1-21, Dillon Conwell 1-2-4, Jon Hendrickson 5-1-11, Jordan Mabin 2-0-5. Three pointers: Schliem, Chandler 6, Mabin. Totals 12 (8) 6-8 54.
Highland (fg-ft-tp) - Nic Pierick 2-2-6, Levi Linscheid, 1-0-2, Bailey Bodenstein 6-6-18, Austin Yager 1-4-6, Alex Kutzke 4-0-8, Mitchell Riley 4-0-11.
Three-pointers: Riley 3.
Totals 18 12-13 51.
Pecatonica plays at Mineral Point High School Saturday afternoon (Nov. 24) at 2:30 p.m.
The Cardinals were slated to play Barneveld Tuesday as they head into the Thanksgiving holiday.
Jayvees: Pecatonica won 52-21.