Eickhoff Steals/Scores Kingsland Over FC

It was a thrilling, albeit controversial ending to a compelling game. In the record books, Kingsland beat Fillmore Central in boys basketball.  Replay probably would’ve led to an overtime.  The game started with a memorable first half shooting display by FC.  They hit 10 of 15 threes versus the Knight 2-3 zone!  Zach Haugerud and Haidyn Gunderson were 9 of 14, scoring 32 of FC’s 35 points.  Yet, the Falcons led just 35-32 at halftime.  FC led the early portion of the second half.  Knight 6’7” senior center Brady Musel hit 11 of 12 free throws in the stanza.  With 4:52 left, Walker Erdman hit a three to put Kingsland up 55-53, their second lead of the half.  The sophomore scored again a minute later (59-56).  Falcon Carson Kiehne replied with a three (59-59 > 2:15).  In the final minute, Musel put in two free throws (61-59).  Kiehne drove and scored (61-61).  Very late Erdman missed a shot, and FC rebounded, getting the ball to half-court and calling timeout (0:02.5).  They then tossed the ball out-of-bounds on a half-court in-bound.  Kingsland then did the exact same thing!  Still with 2.5 left on the clock, FC in-bounded again.  Knight sophomore Nick Eickhoff stole the ball near mid-court and raced the other way for the game-winning lay-up as time expired (or after time expired)!  Via film, the clock was at 0:00, buzzer-sounding, ball still in Eickhoff’s hands (taking off for the lay-up).  Officials ruled the basket good.  Replay doesn’t exist.  John Fenske’s group got a dramatic 63-61 win!  Erdman came in for a huge game (career-high 25 pts, 4-7 threes, 5 rebs, 4 asts), aided by Musel inside (19 pts, 11-12 FTs, 7 rebs).  Gunderson (21 pts, 6-9 threes, 6 rebs, 6 asts) and Haugerud (20 pts, 5-9 threes, 7-12 FGs) led the Falcons.  The duo took 19 of 23 first half shots, 8 of 23 second half shots.  Haugerud had 20 in the first, but took just one second half shot.  Kingsland effectively used a triangle-and-two.  Kiehne (9 pts, 6 asts) and Trevor Hershberger (9 pts, 3-4 threes) helped FC.  Kingsland was 16 of 19 at the line, FC 2 of 6.  The Falcons finished 15 of 28 from deep, Kingsland 5 of 12.  FC falls to 1-3, 3-6.