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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Lukas Gabani was always a big Bolivar basketball fan.
Growing up, he watched the Liberators win three straight district titles and make two final fours from 2015-17.
Thursday night, Gabani got a chance to celebrate a district championship like his predecessors.
And what a game to do it in.
Bolivar outlasted Springfield Catholic 65-63 in double overtime in the Class 5 District 10 Tournament finals at Southwest Baptist University.
“I grew up watching this as a kid,” Gabani said. “It’s crazy that we’re playing in this now. To think I’d be up here one day and now I am. Now, (those former players) are watching me. They’re watching us.”
In an instant classic-type game, Bolivar stormed the court in celebration after Catholic missed a potential game-tying shot at the end of double overtime.
Many players from recent Bolivar teams – like 2017 BHS graduates and current Drury players Conley Garrison and Brandon Emmert – were on hand in support.
“They all come back,” said Bolivar coach Robby Hoegh. “They interject themselves in the program. Nobody is done.
“Our (2020) class, they were all here. This was just as much about the 2020s, as it was the (Class of) 2017, the (Class of) 2018, the (2010s). It’s everybody, man. That’s what I love about Bolivar. This community supports you.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
It’s Bolivar’s first district championship since 2017.
Bolivar’s defense came up clutch when it mattered most.
Catholic had the final shot at the end of regulation and the first overtime. Both times, Bolivar got a stop.
“We pride ourselves on defense,” said Bolivar sophomore Kyle Pock. “That’s where we make our money.”
The stars for both teams delivered.
Catholic’s Zach Howell scored 28 and drained some NBA-range 3-pointers in the extra frames.
His 3-pointer with six seconds remaining brought Catholic within 64-63 in the second overtime.
Bolivar then split a pair of free throws before Catholic missed a last-second shot that would’ve forced a third overtime.
Pock scored a game-high 32. He went 12-for-20 at the free throw line.
Howell and Pock also guarded each other most of the night.
“The plays Catholic made, the plays Bolivar made… you just wish there wasn’t (Coronavirus) or else this place would be packed,” Hoegh said. “You talk about what high schools sports are all about – it’s that right there. Neither team deserved to lose. So much fun.”
The Liberators tried to pull away early in the fourth quarter.
Cooper Cribbs’ layup put Bolivar ahead 43-37, marking Bolivar’s biggest lead of the game.
Catholic responded with a run, including a go-ahead 3-pointer by Howell that made it 46-44 with four minutes remaining.
“Neither team deserved to lose a game like this,” Hoegh said.
Bolivar (13-12 overall) entered the district tournament with some uncertainty.
The Liberators closed the regular season with decisive losses to Logan-Rogersville, Helias Catholic and Kickapoo.
On top of that, Bolivar’s first-round opponent – Hillcrest – played the Liberators to an overtime loss in late January.
“It’s hard to evaluate your team,” Hoegh said. “You think you’re doing some things right. Even amid those losses, I felt like we were doing some good things. But you never know. Were those losses going to make us better?”
Turns out, they did. Bolivar beat Hillcrest 59-33 on Tuesday’s in the district semifinals.
Thursday’s outcome helped Bolivar avenge a Feb. 5 home loss to Catholic (47-40).
Now, the Liberators turn their sights to the Class 5 playoffs.
Bolivar will play either Rolla or Marshfield at 6 p.m. on March 9 in the Class 5 sectional round. Location for that game has yet to be determined.
Rolla and Marshfield play in the District 9 finals at 6:45 p.m. Friday in West Plains.
Bolivar 65, Catholic 63 (2OT)
Bolivar 9 11 19 11 6 9 — 65
Catholic 9 14 14 13 6 7 — 63
Catholic (17-9 overall) – Howell 28, Squibb 19, O’Reilly 9, Bigler 4, Headley 3,
Bolivar (13-12 overall) – Pock 32, Bowes 11, Cribbs 10, Gabani 7 Krueger 4, Sharp 2
