---

When Barneveld Golden Eagles fans talk about the closing seconds of the game that sendt the first ever boys team to the WIAA D5 state tournament they will no doubt remember "The Play."
It wasn't big shot that made up "The Play." Rather it was a defensive gem turned in by gritty sophomore Kauy Fargo and a come out of nowhere dive for the loose ball by junior Lucas Evans. "The Play" made a last second shot by Bangor almost prohibitive and gave the Eagles a 57-55 win under new boys coach Jim Myers.
"As the game went on I knew pretty much his moves and how to play them," Fargo said about the player he was guarding, Luke Reader. "I just hustled and knew where to put my hands."
As Evans pursued the loose ball he had one thing in mind.
"I wasn't letting them get it back," he said.
And he didn't.
On the offensive end the Eagles kept the ball in the hands of Matthew Myers, 5-10 junior guard and son of coach Jim Myers. Matthew led with 21 points, 14 the second half, as the Eagles withstood a late run by the Cardinals. Matthew made eight of his 10 for 10 free throws in the last seven minutes. All 10 free throws came in the last 18 minutes.
"I knew I had to make them," Matthew Myers said. "I've shot a lot of free throws for moments like this one. I wanted to give us a chance to win."
Getting to state was not a huge surpise for Matthew.
"I knew we could do it with these guys," Matthew said. "We believe in each other. We executed our game plan tonight, right up to the final stop."
"I am thrilled for the opportunity to play on tv in front of the whole state," Matthew said.
Jim Myers is glad Matthew has the opportunity as he spent much of his youth going to girls games Jim coached. After 35 years with the girls he switched to the boys side this season to close out his career with his son. He is the only coach to go to state back to back years in both girls and boys basketball.
"Matthew watched a lot of girls games and saw their success," Jim said. "Now he has a chance and it is very special."
Matthew was a difference maker in the last six and a half minutes, scoring 10 of the last 12 points with two Sam Shatrawka gift shots accounting for the rest of the points. He also erased Bangor's first and only lead of the game that came at 5:41 when Sam Johnson buried a three pointer to make the score 48-47.
Luke Reader tied the game on a three pointer with 17 seconds left to knot the score at 55.
But Myers was fouled on the inbounds pass and stepped to the line to make his ninth and tenth straight. Those two throws stood up for the win, thanks to "The Play."
The Eagles had a 14 point lead at one time during the first half but the Cardinals finally got the ice chipped off the rim and their shots started to fall. They made their run late and turned it a nail-biter down the stretch.
"It was a battle all the way," said Jim Myers. "Both teams had the heart of a winner out there and neither team quit. We had to outwork them to get the win."
Jim Myers had difficulty realizing the fact he will have taken both boys and girls teams to state. Like the girls team several years ago, this is the first ever trip for the boys.
"I don't know if it has sunk in yet," Jim Myers said about his feelings right after the game. "Then one moment later I am thinking about giving my son a big hug. It became a very special time."
"So many coaches don't get to go to state just once," Myers continued. "But these kids just worked their tails off all season to get better. I don't know if they are the most talented team around but I do know they play exceptionally well together."
Matthew Myers had 21 points and Mike Zouski 12, all in the first half, for Barneveld. Luke Reader scored 20 and Jack Reader 12 for the Cardinals.
The Eagles open D5 Friday at 9:05 when they face Catholic Central.
SCORE BY HALVES
Barneveld 35 33 57
Bangor 23 32 55
BOX SCORE
BANGOR 55: (fg-ft-tp) Midema 1-0-2, Kravik 2-1-5, S. Johnson 1-0-3, Piske 1-1-3, D. Johnson 3-0-6, Sevier 1-0-2, J. Reader 5-2-12, Plenge 0-0-0, L. Reader 7-2-20, Wiegert 1-0-2 Totals 22-6/7-55 Fouls-15
BARNEVELD 57: Myers 5-10-21, Fargo 0-0-0, Evans 4-0-8, Zouski 4-2-12, Shatrawka 0-2-2, Reed 3-0-6, Archie 1-0-2, Slaney 0-0-0, Arneson 3-0-6 Totals 20-14/15-57 Fouls-13
3 point goals:
Bangor-L. Reader 4, S. Johnson 1
Barneveld-Zouski 2, Myers 1