December 02, 2007 11:57 pm
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By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Richard Marti has coached in hundreds of basketball games at Lamar High School.
He endured something new, however, on Saturday night in the championship game of the Lockwood Tournament.
Jasper outlasted the Tigers 82-79 on Matt McKinney’s trey with six seconds left in the fourth overtime.
Isaac Tidball’s 3-pointer for Jasper at the end of regulation sent the game into the first overtime.
“I don’t remember too much about it,” Jasper coach Kent Anderegg said Sunday. “I’m hoping to watch it tonight.”
Anderegg and Marti said three overtimes had been their previous longest prep game.
“We won our game — I believe it was 106-102 — against visiting Cassville,” Marti said.
“We defeated Dadeville in three overtimes in our homecoming game a few years ago,” Anderegg said.
Lamar called time after the McKinney 3.
“We were able to work the ball up the floor for a decent last-second shot,” Marti said. “But our shooter wasn’t squared up.
“It was a game where both teams had several opportunities to win,” Marti said. “It was a heck of a game in that I believe both teams managed a lead of only a few points. We led by 5 at the half.”
Point guard Tidball, a 6-foot junior, poured in 31 points for the Eagles. McKinney, a 6-6 senior, added 26 points.
“Tidball (who had four 3s) got several of his points by beating the press,” Anderegg said. “He hit several free throws, too. McKinney mixed it up. Those late 3s by Tidball and McKinney stand out.
“We set up a play and ran it (on the tying 3 by Tidball to force OT). Still, it was a miraculous running shot. People were on him. There were only three seconds left when we took the ball out of bounds.
“You could tell by the end of the game that several of our players were out of gas. Our veteran players were able to get the job done. They found a way to pull out the victory.
“Players such as (Kensor) Haddock, (Matt) Newman and (Jacob) Babcock aren’t as experienced but were able to help.”
“We don’t feel good about losing,” Marti said. “Jasper was very deserving, though, and several of our kids know their players pretty well. Tidball and McKinney played excellent games. We also believe it should help our ballclub improve.”
Raul Cantu, a 6-3 senior, paced Lamar with 21 points. Fellow seniors Brian Main and Brett Rawlings combined for 34.
Jasper hadn’t won the Lockwood crown since 1966. Lamar, bidding for a 10th title, placed runner-up for the second year in a row. Lamar and Lockwood — its string was scissored by Lamar — logged eight straight titles apiece to highlight streaks of success.
Extra sessions: Richard wasn’t the only Marti to work extra on Saturday. Son Brett’s Monett Cubs, in one overtime, beat Carthage 60-54 in its tourney for consolation. A trey by 6-4 senior Steven Fellinger opened the scoring in the extra session and boosted the Cubs ahead for good. ... Carl Junction lost 78-67 in two overtimes to Springfield Hillcrest last Monday in the Republic Tournament. The Globe earlier reported it as lasting three overtimes.
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