Wolverines take one-point loss in final 10 seconds

On Friday, Feb 2, the Weiser Wolverine boys played against the Homedale Trojans in a highly anticipated matchup on the road. Both teams had similar records, so this game was important for securing a higher ranking as regular season games were winding down.

 The Wolverines took an early lead and maintained it throughout most of the game, until the final 10 seconds when the Trojans made a bucket in a sideline out-of-bounds play. Weiser was unable to score again and suffered a heart-breaking loss, 45 to 46.

 In the first few minutes of the first quarter, both teams worked well on offense, creating scoring opportunities. Jack Shirts made a floater in the key and on another trip to offense drove to the basket for 2 points. Josh Mizar made a 22-foot 3-pointer, and Kolin Cook added a free throw. Just two and a half minutes in, Weiser led 8 to 5.

 Both teams stalled out for a couple of minutes until 30 seconds remained in the first when Shirts found Finn Dolton open on the baseline for an 18-foot 2-pointer. The first quarter ended with Weiser up by 4 points, 12 to 9.

 The Trojans surged at the beginning of the second quarter, making a 3-pointer, and then stealing the ball from the Wolverines, taking it to the hoop for a lay-in. For the first time in the game, Homedale had the lead. Weiser 13, Homedale 14 with 6:15 to go in the second.

 On the next trip to offense for Weiser, Dolton had a strong rebound and found Mizar open as he cut to the basket for 2. Cook soon added 2 more points for the Wolverines. Mizar made another bucket in the paint when Shirts drove in and was stopped and found Mizar open. A minute later, Braden Phillips inside passed the ball to Mizar in the corner for a nothing-but-net 3-pointer.

 Homedale added a couple of baskets of their own, but Weiser outscored them, ending the half now up by 6, 22 to 18.

 Weiser lit up the scoreboard early in the third quarter with two 3-pointers. First Shirts created an opening outside as he drove into the paint and then kicked it out to Mizar in the corner for 3. Next Shirts earned another assist with a pass to Carter Jensen in the corner for the second 3-pointer. 

 The Wolverines stalled out in the scoring until over halfway into the third, when Cook drove to the basket and found Jensen outside for a jump shot and 2 points. 

 After the initial surge the Wolverines struggled to score until over halfway in the third when Cook drove to the basket and was stopped. He then found Jensen outside for jump shot and 2 points. 

 Weiser continued to put pressure on Homedale’s defense, as Mizar drove inside, stopped he passed it to Phillips under the bucket. Phillips quickly dished the ball off to Shirts on the opposite block for a lay-in. 

    Cook added 2 more for Weiser as he worked past Homedale’s defense for a basket inside the paint. Mizar soon hit another 3-pointer for the Wolverines with only 25 seconds left in the quarter.  

 Weiser managed to add one more point when Cook made a free throw, but Homedale found the bottom of the net multiple times, taking the lead with only 10 seconds remaining. Weiser’s last shot attempts were unsuccessful, and the Wolverines lost by one point, 45-46. 

 Josh led Weiser with 14 points, while Shirts and Cook both had 9 points each. Jensen added 8 points, and Dolton contributed 5 points. 

 Phillips and Shirts led Weiser with 8 rebounds and Mizar had 6. 

 The Wolverines played in Parma on Wednesday, Feb. 7, but no score was available at the time of printing. Weiser’s senior night will be held on Friday, Feb. 9, when they host Fruitland.

 Scores at the end of quarters:

     Weiser           Homedale

1st:        12         9

2nd:       22       18     

3rd:        37       33

4th:        45       46