Rivals participate in non-conference thriller

By News Team
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Sun, Jan 23rd, 2011
Posted in Sports

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At one point in time, Preston-Fountain, Harmony, and Lanesboro each played one another twice a year for a total of (at least) six basketball games. The three schools were bitter rivals. Then Preston-Fountain and Harmony consolidated. The number of games dropped to two, but the rivalry remained. Then Fillmore Central joined the Three Rivers and the rival towns were left with only one guaranteed opportunity per year to settle their differences. This year's boy's installment was a dandy.

Lanesboro jumped ahead in the first half, amassing a 5-point lead at the break. Twice in the second half, they led by 10, but the Falcons fought back behind a balanced attack. They fought back and then some, taking a 68-64 lead with just under a minute to go. Two Braden Hanson free throws chopped that lead in half with 35 seconds on the clock. The Burros then fouled. FC made only 1 of 2 at the line, leaving it a three-point game. That lead was very short lived. Lanesboro's Lucas Johnson dramatically nailed a three-pointer to tie the game 69-69 with 20 seconds to go. Not to be dramatically outdone, FC responded. Zach Olstad hit a baseline jumper with 6 seconds to go to propel the Falcons back into the lead. The Burros needed a miracle. After a timeout, Cory Strom took the in-bounds pass, dribbled up the left sideline, got to half-court, and then sent a pass towards junior guard Braden Hanson. Hanson grabbed the ball at the top of the key and pumped in the game winning three-point miracle Burro fans were looking for; Burros 72, Falcons 71!

Statistically, four FC players found double digits. Colton Hampel led the way with 21 including three 3's. Tyler Eickhoff and Drew Bahl added 12, Zach Olstad 11. For the Burros, Hanson led the way with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 5 assists. Lucas Johnson scored 18. Jacob Rogers added 11. Fillmore held a 12-6 offensive rebounding advantage, but Lanesboro made 4 more three-point shots (8 to 4), none more critical than the two down the stretch.

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