Shadle heads to state

By any measure, the 3A regional final between North Central and Shadle Park on Friday night had everything imaginable for championship basketball, including a winning 3-pointer.

Robby Douglas, who struggled all game, drilled the winner with 9 seconds remaining for a 53-52 lead that held up under NC’s final attempts. The victory sends several Shadle seniors to an unprecedented third straight state appearance for the Highlanders. NC comes back again at 2 p.m. today against host Rogers for the region’s second state seed.

“Hat’s off to NC,” Shadle coach Tim Gaebe said. “They played well, hit big shots and brought out the best in us. Beating a very good team (like that) four times is an accomplishment. We talk about finishes, and just hanging in there is a great testament to these kids.”

A nearly flawless second half had propelled the Indians from a seven-point deficit, particularly in the fourth quarter when they took a six-point lead with just less than 3 minutes remaining.

But Brett Boese, who carried a struggling Shadle offense, hit his fourth 3-pointer of the game with 2:28 remaining and Scott Andersen tied the game with another with a minute to go sending the game to its dramatic conclusion.

With 29 seconds remaining, Isaiah Antoine put the Indians ahead. Following a timeout, Shadle worked the ball to Douglas, who was just 5 of 23 from the field at that point, and he proved golden from beyond the arc.

“He didn’t have a great game, but he always wants the next shot,” Gaebe said.

Shadle Park trailed 16-9 early in the second period before Boese got hot and scored eight successive points as Shadle took a 23-18 lead at the half. He finished the game with 18.

In the third quarter, however, NC stormed back with contributions from many. Brandon Olsen, Gunnar Swager, Dylan Harris and Lucas Evans all made clutch shots.

Harris hit two 3-pointers midway through the second half after Shadle went up by six points. Swager scored twice for a 39-38 lead.

And it was 50-44 before the Highlanders made their dramatic charge.

“NC played great, but our seniors always find a way to win,” said guard Taylor Pettersen, making his third state trip. “Robby never loses his confidence.”

Rogers 62, Sunnyside 59: Trailing by 12 points after three quarters, the Pirates (13-12) cranked up the heat with a 31-point fourth quarter that positioned them for a try at a second straight state trip.

A pair of state veterans, Dillon Franklin and Deavon Daniels, did the heavy lifting in this game, combining for 44 points, half of those in the fourth quarter, 13 by Daniels.

“We went after it finally,” coach Tim Wood said. “Sunnyside went out of its zone and we started attacking and making shots.”