Panthers slip past Bulldogs 54-52 in overtime

In a game in which free throws played such a pivotal role, it was the two that junior Peyton Retter made with 9.7 seconds remaining in overtime that gave the Concordia High School Panthers a 54-52 North Central Kansas League win over the unbeaten Marysville Bulldogs Tuesday night in the Concordia Junior-Senior High School gymnasium.
Concordia finished the game 21 of 27 from the free throw line for 78 percent, while Marysville was just 17 of 31 from the line for 54 percent.
The Panthers, now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the league, made 11 of 13 free throw attempts over the final 2:42 of regulation and the overtime. Marysville hit just 9 of 16 over that same stretch.
"Free throws were huge in the game," Concordia coach Derek Holmes said. "We made ours down the stretch and got some key stops when we needed to."
Concordia, which trailed much of the fourth quarter, got a pair of free throws by Joey Henderson with 15 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 47-47.
Henderson, a senior guard, scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth period.
"We spread our offense out where he would drive it to the rim. And he and Retter had some key drives and got to the free throw line in key moments and capitalized on that," Holmes said.
Marysville's Will Otott, who scored 31 points in the game, missed on a three-point attempt as time expired and the game went to overtime.
It was a 51-51 game when Otott made one of two free throws with 1:41 remaining to give the Bulldogs a one-point lead.
Retter went one of two from the line  22 seconds later to pull Concordia even at 52-52.
The Panthers got a defensive stop and ran the clock down to 9.7 seconds before Retter drew another foul.
Retter, who went 9 of 10 from the line in matching Henderson with 19 points, made both attempts to give Concordia the 54-52 advantage.
Marysville's Tyson Wassom was unable to knock down a three-point shot. Silas Miller grabbed an offensive rebound, but was unable to score as time expired.
"We did a great job because Otott never got the ball. The kids executed very well on that possession defensively because we made one of their role players shoot a contested three," Holmes said. "It was a heck of a win. I was really proud of our kids' fight and grit. They were ranked fourth in 3A and undefeated. So that was a good win for us."
Concordia had Chane Parker pull down 11 rebounds in the game.
Jonathan Turner finished with seven rebounds.
The Panthers limited Marysville to just three points in the first six minutes of the game.
Otott scored four straight points to make it a 9-7 game going into the second quarter.
A three by Otott midway through that second period gave the Bulldogs their first lead at 12-11.
Concordia reclaimed the lead and was up 17-15 at halftime.
"Marysville is physical and well coached. They make you play ugly," Holmes said.
After falling behind 19-18 early in the second half, the Panthers used a 10-2 run to take their biggest lead at 28-21.
Scoring the final five points of the period, Marysville got within two points, 28-26.
Otott made three of four free throws and Blake Spicer knocked down a three to put Marysville up 32-28.
The Bulldogs would stretch the lead to 39-33.
Led by Henderson, the Panthers battled back to tie the game at 40-40.
Henderson scored Concordia's final 10 points in the fourth period.
Spicer scored for Marysville and Henderson made one of two free throws to make it a 42-41 game.
Otott went two of four from the line in a span of 16 seconds to push the Bulldogs' lead to 45-41 with 1:19 to play in regulation.
Marysville had its chance to put the game out of reach but missed 6 of 10 free throws in the final 1:35.
A basket by Henderson got Concordia back within a point, 46-45.
Spicer missed two free throws, but the Panthers were unable to score.
Making one of two from the line, Spicer gave Marysville a 47-45 advantage with 26 seconds left.
Henderson drove to the basket and drew a foul 11 seconds later. He made both free throws to tie the game.
Otott was unable to knock down a game-winning shot and the game went to overtime.
Concordia pulled out the win in the closing seconds of the extra period.
Otott was the only Marysville player to score more than six points.
Wrapping up a four-game homestand, the Panthers host unbeaten Abilene in a league game Friday night.
"Every win has been by at least double digits. I think they are ranked eighth in 4A and playing really well," Holmes said of Abilene. "We are going to handle their pressure. That will be key to the game."

MARYSVILLE (52)
Otott 8-13-4 31, S. Miller 1-0-0 2, Wassom 1-0-1 3, Spicer 2-1-5 6, Lee 1-1-3 3, Voet 1-1-5 3, Haverkamp 0-1-5 1, J. Miller 1-0-0 3. Totals: 15-17-23 52.
CONCORDIA (54)
Henderson 6-7-2 19, VanMeter 0-0-2 0, Parker 2-2-4 6, Retter 5-9-4 19, Loudermilk 1-0-0 2, Breese 1-2-5 5, Turner 1-1-4 3, Donovan 0-0-1 0. Totals: 16-21-22 54.