Ledger Gelfius
HOPE — The Hauser defense came up big down the stretch Thursday night.
In the final six seconds of the game, Franklin County’s Quinn Gillman dribbled the ball the entirety of the court. He made a spin move to give himself an open look at a lay in shot inside the paint. However, the shot attempt grazed off the rim and Jets come away with a 42-40 boys basketball overtime victory over the Wildcats.
“It was very important for us. We talked letting our defense carry us so we can find ways to win games when our offense isn’t scoring,” Hauser coach Trent Moorhead. “The defense effort we gave tonight is the reason why we won this. It wasn’t pretty. It was an ugly game. We found a way at the end of the day.”
With 12.7 seconds left, Franklin County (8-4) had a chance to tie the game at the line, but Eli Butt missed both attempts. With the Wildcats forced to foul, the Jets’ Ledger Gelfius missed both his attempts, setting up the final sequence.
Franklin County had many opportunities to close out the game from the line, but failed to do so. The Wildcats finished 3 of 8 from the line late in the fourth quarter and overtime.
“We didn’t allow them a field goal in overtime, and they had multiple chances, but we held our ground,” Moorhead said. “We free throw rebounded well, and that’s what won us the game. It’s getting those stops and making sure we can find ways to win.”
Hauser (5-7) kept things close with Franklin County, but the Wildcats picked of a couple perimeter baskets from Landen Wuestefeld to go ahead 10-9 after the first quarter. Owen McIntyre came off the bench to give the Jets a bit of a spark, and they took the lead at 16-12. Franklin County came back to tie the game at 18-18. Hauser converted some free throws late to take a 21-19 lead at the half.
The Wildcats retook the lead at 22-21 to begin the second half. The Jets then rallied off a 6-0 run to take a 27-22 lead. Franklin County came back to tie it at 27-27 following a 3-pointer from Landon Johnson.
A second delay of game was called on the Wildcats with 2:02 left in the third. After Gelfius converted both free throws for the tecnhical, Alex Cord drove to the basket for the layup to make it 31-27. Franklin County eventually cut the deficit to 33-32 heading into the fourth.
The Wildcats had a chance to close out the game at the charity stripe, but went 2 for 4 down the stretch. With 18.9 seconds to work with, Gelfius’ shot attempt at the buzzer was off, which sent the game to overtime.
For Hauser, Gelfius finished with a game-high 14 points, and Stryker Gill added seven.
Hauser 42, Franklin County 40 (OT)
Franklin County;10;9;13;7;1;—;40
Hauser;9;12;12;6;3;—;42
Hauser (5-7): Alex Cord 3 0-0 6, Alex Bower 0 0-0 0, Ledger Gelfius 4 6-8 14, Stryker Gill 3 0-0 7, Kameron Blair 0 0-0 0, Jake Barriger 2 1-2 5, Taeshaun Tungate 1 2-2 4, Owen McIntyre 2 1-6 6, Gavin Keller 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 10-14 42.
3-point goals: Hauser 2 (Gill, McIntyre).
