SPEARFISH - In a game which will go down as one of the most thrill-packed games since the formation of the Greater Dakota Conference, Spearfish edged Rapid City Central 77-75 in triple overtime Friday evening in the SHS Gymnasium.
Jordan Johnson's drive to the hoop and ensuing layup with five seconds left presented the Spartans with the game-winning points in the third extra frame. Johnson poured in 20 points for the hosts. Justin Kemp and Bryant Stadler, the two SHS seniors playing in their regular season home finale, contributed 18 and 17 points, respectively.
The win wrapped up the No. 1 seed for Spearfish in next week's District 4AA tournament. The Spartans will host the winner of Tuesday's play-in game between Douglas and Rapid City Stevens on Thursday. Central, the No. 2 seed, entertains Sturgis, the No. 3 seed, on Thursday.
Evan Sims canned a game-high 26 points, including five three-pointers, for the Cobblers. Walter Jones drained 18 points, including a sparkling 10-of-14 at the charity stripe. Nick Purcell added 11 points.
"I hope they have this game on tape on ESPN 2. That is as good as basketball gets," said Central coach Mike Purcell
"Once Jordan Johnson got the ball on top with 11 seconds left, we knew he was going to go down the middle of the lane. He beat us on a left-handed layup."
"This game was fun for the players and fans, but not for the coaches," said Spearfish coach Dan Martin.
"We've come a long ways since the beginning of the season. We persevered. What a night to have for Bryant and Justin."
A rare four-point play by Johnson gave the Spartans a 59-52 advantage with 3:29 left in regulation time. Spearfish had a chance to put the game away, but misfired on 4-of-5 free throw attempts. Successive trifectas by Sims pulled the Cobblers to within 60-58 at the two-minute mark.
A jumper by Caleb Grenz knotted the score at 60-60.
Two made charity shots by Johnson reclaimed a two-point lead for Spearfish. After the Cobblers missed a pair of foul shots, Central grabbed the rebound and missed a shot. Jones grabbed the rebound and sank the stick-back attempt, sending the game into overtime.
The teams each scored three points in the first overtime. In the second extra four-minute period, the Cobblers and Spartans again netted three points each.
Spearfish tallied the first six points of the third overtime Two free throws apiece by Nick Olson, Johnson and Besler gave SHS a 74-68 edge. Sims' 3-pointer tied the contest at 75-75, before Johnson's last-second heroics.
"The state knows Spearfish is well-coached," said Purcell. "We thought we were hardened and tempered because of our schedule. We know we need to play better. We need to win two games to get to the state AA tournament." The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center will host the AA tournament on March 13-15.
At halftime of the game, Jhett Albers, James Boldwoldt, Jamie Hahn VanDeest and Deming Haugland were inducted into the Spearfish High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
