Seminoles edge Lions in overtime

MANILA - Osceola and Manila met Saturday at Manila Gymnasium in a key Conference 3A-3 boys matchup. The Seminoles would pull out an 83-79 overtime victory to grab a piece of third place in the league.

The Seminoles would build a big first half lead as they outscored the Lions 20-12 in the first quarter, as Jeremiah Jacobs scored eight points. The Seminoles would expand their lead to 42-27 at the half as they poured in 22 second quarter points, many of which came from behind the arc on five made three-pointers (nine in the half).

At the break, it appeared Osceola was in control, as they limited most of the Lions scoring to junior Rex Farmer and senior guard Luke Kirk, who combined for 23 of Manila’s 27 first half points. But the second half would prove to be very different.

Long for two - Osceola’s Jeriyan Long puts up a shot over Manila’s Byron Kisner. Long would post a double, double of 20 points and 11 rebounds in the Osceola overtime win over the Lions. Long would score six points in the extra period as the Seminoles won 83-79. (Photos by Sports Connection Photographer Kadan Newson)

Manila would get back to back three’s from sophomore guard Carson Baltimore and a three from junior Jaxon Churchill in the third quarter as they outscored the Seminoles 25-14 to narrow the Osceola lead to 56-52 heading to the final period.

Osceola, which only had one made three in the third period, that by sophomore MJ Washington, would continue to struggle in the final quarter as Manila would build a five point lead (73-68) with 37.3 seconds to play.

But, Osceola would get a steal and a wing three from sophomore Tyler Bell to close within 73-71 with 18 seconds to play. Following a Seminole time out, Manila would turn the ball over with 16.2 seconds remaining. The Seminoles would force the ball inside to Jeriyan Long who was fouled with nine ticks left on the clock. Long would calmly convert a pair of free throws to tie the game at 73.

Manila would be unable to convert a potential game winning shot and the game would go to overtime.

The Seminoles would win the extra period 10-6 as Long scored six points and Richard high hit three of four free throws. The Lions would get a bucket from Byron Kisner in the extra period, but Kirk would score the only other points on four made free throws.

Free throws from Bell and Long gave Osceola a 75-73 lead. Kirk would tie the game at 75, before Long gave Osceola the lead from good with a basket and then a hoop and a harm three-point play with 1:09 to play which gave Osceola an 80-75 lead.

Manila would be unable to get any closer than the four point final margin over the final minute and Osceola would escape with the hard fought conference win.

The Lions got a game-high 27 points from Kirk and 24 points from Farmer. Churchill added 11 points and Baltimore had 10 points, while Kisner had seven points for the Lions 10-12, 4-2.

The Seminoles (10-10, 4-2) got 24 points and five rebounds from High. Long had a double, double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Washington added 19 points and four rebounds. Jacobs added 11 points and Bell had five points.