Photo taken and used with permission by Sara Stadem
The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal boys earned one of their biggest wins of the season when they defeated #5 Castlewood in double overtime on Tuesday, January 17th. St Mary won a physical 73-70 game to improve to 6-2 on the season.
The Cardinals set the tone early that they were not going to back down to the Warriors. St Mary built a 12-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. Castlewood regrouped in the second quarter and was able to get a 24-22 lead at halftime after a buzzer-beater layup. The game went back-and-forth in the third quarter with St Mary holding a 45-42 lead by quarter’s end.
Neither team led by more than three points in the fourth quarter. The final minute of the quarter proved to be very dramatic. While leading 55-54, the Cardinals got a steal in the backcourt, but failed to get the ball across half court which resulted in a 10-second violation. Castlewood took advantage of the turnover. The Warriors hit a three-point shot, while the Cardinals committed a foul. The Warriors converted the free-throw for a rare four-point play to give Castlewood a 58-55 lead. Maverick LeBrun hit the game-tying three-pointer with seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
In the first overtime period, the defenses took center stage. Both teams only scored two points each, and the game was tied 60-60 going into a second overtime period. The teams traded shots throughout most of the extra time, but St Mary slowly built a 72-67 lead late. With under :30 to go, the Warriors made a three-point shot to cut the lead to 72-70. After a couple of missed free throws by St Mary, the Warriors had a chance to tie. They instead went for the win, but missed two three-point shots. Trimmier Hanson made one of two free-throws with :06.5 to play. The game-tying three-point attempt for near half court was no good.
Trevon Beckman had 25 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in the game. Nic Gaspar had 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists. LeBrun finished with 10 points and four rebounds. Hanson added eight points, six rebounds, and four assists. CJ Smith ended with six points and five rebounds. Lucas Flemmer had four points in the first half.
