UNION SPRINGS - For the past two seasons, Adam Heck's Lansing boys basketball team has had something on the line when it visits Union Springs.
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Union Springs junior Mike Howell (21) takes the ball to the basket as Lansing senior Ryan Shaff (33) is knocked to the ground while trying to block the shot during the Wolves' game against the Bobcats at home Tuesday.
Union Springs junior Mike Howell (21) takes the ball to the basket as Lansing senior Ryan Shaff (33) is knocked to the ground while trying to block the shot during the Wolves' game against the Bobcats at home Tuesday.
Last year, the Bobcats had to defeat the Wolves to stay in the hunt for the IAC, Division III title, which they did. Tuesday, a win would clinch the division.
Heck's Lansing squad handled the pressure well.
Teagan Barresi sank a circus shot in the lane and got fouled with just more than a minute left to give the Bobcats a cushion en route to a 35-29 victory.
“When we got up five, when Teagan made that shot and the free throw, I felt good,” Heck said. “It was one of those games that if a team is up by more than one possession, then that team is going to win.”
In such a defensive game, Barresi's shot gave the Wolves little time to erase the five-point (34-29) deficit it created.
“In a game like this you have to get a little lucky,” Heck said. “It came down to us hitting a few shots in the last two minutes, and they didn't hit theirs. It's the way it always is with us.”
“They made a few plays down the stretch that we didn't make,” said Wolves coach Tim Darnell. “That's what it is.”
The teams kept it close, with neither squad going ahead by more than five. Union Springs held a 25-24 advantage going into the fourth quarter.
Barresi (seven points, seven rebounds) quickly reclaimed the lead with seven minutes to play. Devon Brady, who had a game-high nine points, answered back on the Wolves' next possession.
It would be the last time Union Springs led.
Lansing's (14-3) next trip down the floor resulted in a 3 from Trevor Wolf, and Andy Reukauf added another bucket with 5:35 remaining. Neither team scored again for four minutes, then Julius McClary dumped in a put-back from a missed free throw to make the score 31-29.
The Wolves (12-6) had trouble from the line all night, shooting 5-of-11. The team had several opportunities to tie or take the lead during the game by free-throw shooting but only did so once in the first quarter.
“We gave up six points there. That's the difference in the game,” Darnell said.
“We missed three layups - that's six more points. In a tight game like this everything matters.”
After McClary (six points, 11 boards) brought the Wolves within two, John Sluty attempted an off-balance 3-pointer. Barresi swooped in for the rebound.
Union Springs was plagued with problems on the glass, and were out-rebounded 36-25 by a much bigger Lansing squad whose tallest player tops out at 6-foot-9.
“They're huge, everyone is over six-foot,” Darnell said. “I think we battled as well as we could.”
Barresi tossed the ball in the direction of the basket and after a few bounces on the rim, it dropped. Brady was whistled for the foul, and Barresi made the ensuing attempt. The Wolves were forced to foul, and Wolf accounted for the game's last point.
Union Springs will try to regroup for the Section IV, Class C tournament, which begins two weeks from today.
“Our kids fought hard, I'm proud of their effort,” Darnell said. “We just fell a little short so we're going to have to regroup and get our self ready for sectionals. That is the big picture. Everybody is in search of that title.”
Heck's Lansing squad handled the pressure well.
Teagan Barresi sank a circus shot in the lane and got fouled with just more than a minute left to give the Bobcats a cushion en route to a 35-29 victory.
“When we got up five, when Teagan made that shot and the free throw, I felt good,” Heck said. “It was one of those games that if a team is up by more than one possession, then that team is going to win.”
In such a defensive game, Barresi's shot gave the Wolves little time to erase the five-point (34-29) deficit it created.
“In a game like this you have to get a little lucky,” Heck said. “It came down to us hitting a few shots in the last two minutes, and they didn't hit theirs. It's the way it always is with us.”
“They made a few plays down the stretch that we didn't make,” said Wolves coach Tim Darnell. “That's what it is.”
The teams kept it close, with neither squad going ahead by more than five. Union Springs held a 25-24 advantage going into the fourth quarter.
Barresi (seven points, seven rebounds) quickly reclaimed the lead with seven minutes to play. Devon Brady, who had a game-high nine points, answered back on the Wolves' next possession.
It would be the last time Union Springs led.
Lansing's (14-3) next trip down the floor resulted in a 3 from Trevor Wolf, and Andy Reukauf added another bucket with 5:35 remaining. Neither team scored again for four minutes, then Julius McClary dumped in a put-back from a missed free throw to make the score 31-29.
The Wolves (12-6) had trouble from the line all night, shooting 5-of-11. The team had several opportunities to tie or take the lead during the game by free-throw shooting but only did so once in the first quarter.
“We gave up six points there. That's the difference in the game,” Darnell said.
“We missed three layups - that's six more points. In a tight game like this everything matters.”
After McClary (six points, 11 boards) brought the Wolves within two, John Sluty attempted an off-balance 3-pointer. Barresi swooped in for the rebound.
Union Springs was plagued with problems on the glass, and were out-rebounded 36-25 by a much bigger Lansing squad whose tallest player tops out at 6-foot-9.
“They're huge, everyone is over six-foot,” Darnell said. “I think we battled as well as we could.”
Barresi tossed the ball in the direction of the basket and after a few bounces on the rim, it dropped. Brady was whistled for the foul, and Barresi made the ensuing attempt. The Wolves were forced to foul, and Wolf accounted for the game's last point.
Union Springs will try to regroup for the Section IV, Class C tournament, which begins two weeks from today.
“Our kids fought hard, I'm proud of their effort,” Darnell said. “We just fell a little short so we're going to have to regroup and get our self ready for sectionals. That is the big picture. Everybody is in search of that title.”
