ONTARIO — Football has a Hail Mary as the adjective for an unlikely bomb that rescues victory from the jaws of defeat.
They’re going to have to come up with a new term altogether for what the Ontario boys basketball team pulled off on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors trailed powerful Crestview 58-51 with less than a minute to play at the O-Rena, and hopes looked dim. But a missed free throw here, a turnover there, and a layup at the buzzer gave coach Jerry Moton’s squad its biggest win of the season in a 61-59 shocker.
(These photos were taken by Tom Theodore)
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Crestview’s Justice Thompson nets the free throw that sets the school’s career scoring record. Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore
Coach John Kurtz’s squad owned a 59-56 edge with the clock ticking down when Ontario freshman Trindon Flenoury nailed a trey to tie the game.
On the Cougars’ ensuing possession, Warriors’ sophomore Tre Fowler picked off a steal and streaked to the glass to net a layup beating the horn for the game-winning bucket.
Flenoury and freshman Cardae Brown topped the Warriors with 14 points apiece, while Fowler had a dozen. Remington Schroeder chipped in nine points and freshman Trey Remy added eight.
Crestview’s Justice Thompson set the school’s career scoring mark with 1,335 points. He finished with a game-high 18 points, as did teammate Tyson Ringler. Daniel Wells had 13 points and junior Andrew Spoerr contributed 10, but no one else scored for the Cougars.
Crestview drained 10-of-12 free throws, while the Warriors made 4-of-6. Ontario connected on six treys (four by Flenoury), compared to nine for the Cougars — five by Thompson, four in the second quarter.
The two squads battled to an 8-8 first-quarter tie before Crestview moved on top 27-20 at the half. The Warriors were still trailing 43-36 heading to the final period. Once there, Moton’s men enjoyed a 25-17 scoring advantage.
Crestview drops to 12-2 overall, and will host Bellevue on Wednesday. The Cougars only other defeat this year was a 54-50 loss to Highland on Jan. 7.
Ontario improves to 5-10 overall, and will host Marion Pleasant on Thursday.
This game was also recognized as Military Appreciation Day, with the Warriors donning uniforms provided by the Ohio National Guard.