East Newton got out to an early lead on the No. 1 seeded Lamar Tigers, but the Patriots would need a last second shot to pull off the upset.
The Patriots used a 16-3 run to open up a 25-11 halftime lead, but the Tigers started the third quarter on an 11-0 run of their own as they pulled within two at 30-28.
“We got some good shots, especially early,” said East Newton coach Kyle Fields. “And we were defending really well on [Lamar center Sam] Timmons inside and really making them work for everything they’ve got. We hit some shots and got a lead and that really helped our confidence going forward toward the second half.”
Lamar took its first lead with 4:55 remaining on a bucket by Luke Hardman to go up 32-30.
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Lamar coach Joel Braden said, “It wasn’t anything I did as much as the kids just played better. They moved the ball better, the intensity from there picked up. I don’t know if we were tight, if we were unsure, whatever it was in the first half we just didn’t play well. But they played with more energy, more effort, and moved the ball better in the second half.”
In the final two minutes, the Big Eight Conference rivals were tied for the fifth and final time at 34-34. Tyler Winsauer’s basket at 1:55 put the Patriots up by two; then Sam Timmons of Lamar made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. A driving layup by Ian Moore put the Tigers up 37-36 with 9.6 seconds remaining as East Newton called a timeout.
The sellout crowd stood as one in anticipation of the final play. Patriot point guard Josh Harris looked for an opening, intending to pass off to either Winsauer or Ethan Heilig. When the Tigers denied those options, he went instead to Dalton Zimmerman in the right corner, who buried a three with 1.6 seconds left.
“He’s been a clutch shooter in times this year,” Fields said of Zimmerman. “He’s all about the moment isn’t too big for him. When we drew up the play, we were going to attack and if we got help [defensively] to kick, and he stepped up like it was meant to be him, you know.”
Braden said, “We did a good job defensively of taking away their first and maybe even their second option. It was a desperation thing where their kid did a great job of catching it and shooting it and making it.”
Lamar tried a baseball pass but it fell astray as the Patriots avenged a 3-point loss in the regular season.
“These kids are just gritty and they don’t give up,” said Fields. “They’re resilient and I’m so proud of their effort. They’re all about each other and I think that’s why we win, especially in close games.”
East Newton advances to the Carthage sectional on Wednesday against Fair Grove.
East Newton 14 11 5 9—39
Lamar 7 4 17 9—37
East Newton: Ethan Heilig 16, Tyler Winsauer 10, Dalton Zimmerman 5, Josh Harris 3, Caleb Jackson 2, Coleman Booker 2, Dustin McDermott 1.
Lamar: Luke Hardman 13, Sam Timmons 10, Nicholas Ray 6, Ian Moore 2, Anthony Wilkerson 2.
