CALEDONIA — It took two overtimes and a truckload of grit, but the Shelby boys basketball team finally found a way to edge River Valley 75-73 in a thrilling double-overtime clash on Saturday night.
The Whippets took sole possession of first place in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference the hard way, leading early in the first quarter and then not again until the second overtime.
Alex Bruskotter, a 6-foot-7 junior, topped Shelby with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 assists. Casey Lantz, a 6-5 junior, chipped in 17 points, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Brayden DeVito added 12 points and Issiah Ramsey contributed 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Bryson Baker recorded 8 points to help the cause, too.
River Valley raced to an 18-10 first-quarter bulge and fashioned a 32-26 edge at halftime. The Vikings enjoyed a 51-40 advantage heading to the final eight minutes. But the Whippets rallied in the fourth period to tie the game at 62, forcing the game to overtime.
Both squads scored five points in the first overtime to knot the affair at 67-67, which triggered a second overtime. Shelby finally grabbed control to outscore the hosts 8-6 in the final session.
The Whippets made 14-of-22 free throws compared to just 6-of-15 for River Valley. Shelby forced the Vikings into 16 turnovers, while suffering 10 — leading to a 23-6 margin in points off turnovers.
Coach Greg Galloway’s squad improved to 16-2 overall, 11-1 in the MOAC. The Whippets host Clear Fork on Friday night.
The Vikings fall to 14-5, 10-2. River Valley travels to Highland on Friday night.
Shelby at River Valley box score
