Tigers topple 'Devils in OT

Bobby Rogers led Springfield with 15 points in the 42-37 win over Reserve.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Was it the jump ball violation during the tipoff for overtime or the vicious play of Todd Kibby that rattled Western Reserve?
Whichever it was, Springfield seized the opportunity and came away with a 54-47 Inter Tri-County League victory Tuesday night.
After trailing most of the game, Springfield cut into Reserve's 42-37 lead midway through the fourth quarter and caught up to tie at the end of regulation, 45-45.
Then the Tigers went into another gear in overtime.
"We were able to come out and make a couple quick scores," Springfield coach Grant Spaite said of a two-point goal by Kibby and a 3-pointer by Bobby Rogers to give the Tigers a 50-45.
"We knew it would be good a good game," Spaite said. "We used to play twice and it was always heated. We always try to match their intensity. To have these seniors go out with a victory is nice."
Rogers had 16 points, Kibby 14 and Dane Dobson 13 for the winners (14-5). John Porterfield's 12 points led Western Reserve (16-3).
Of Springfield's seven 3-pointers, Rogers had four and Dobson three.
"Every possession is important, especially in overtime," Reserve coach Steve Miller said of the bad break at the outset of the extra four-minute session and what immediately followed.
"Rogers' 3 gave them a lift, then we didn't convert. Once we got down, we sit in a zone, so we started to hurt. All they have to do is pull the ball back and wait for us to come out," Miller said of the dilemma facing his team.
Putting it away
So, the Blue Devils resorted to fouling and Rogers, Dobson and Nate Schuler combined to sink five of six free throws in the final two minutes.
Miller said he was pleased at his team's effort, but disappointed that Reserve didn't get off a shot at the end of regulation.
"We should have finished. John [Porterfield] tried a '3' with 10 seconds left, but it doesn't fall. Then we get it in the hands of [Chris] Truitt and didn't get it off."
Shawn Kibby got Truitt's miss, but the other Kibby -- Todd -- was the busy one, wreaking havoc throughout the second half with tenacious play under his backboard.
"He's an animal," Miller said of the 6-3, 215 sophomore.
"He set the tone for them. He's relentless attacking the offensive boards."
Spaite described the final minute of regulation.
"We weathered the storm and duked it out with them. In overtime, we were getting a hand out on the shooters, boxing out and not giving them second chances.
"Kibby comes off the bench. He's getting banged around and fouled. It's nice to have a guy doing the dirty work and scrapping."
Numbers
Springfield made 11 of 19 free throws to Reserve's 3 of 9 and the Tigers out-rebounded the Blue Devils, 35-28.
Eight of Todd Kibby's 10 rebounds were on the offensive glass.
Chris Tofilski grabbed eight rebounds for Reserve.
Neither team attempted many free throws in the first half, but Miller thought his players could have drawn more fouls.
"Early, when we got them up in the air [trying to defend goal attempts near the basket] we didn't get the bunnies needed and they avoided contact and we didn't get to the line."
Springfield (14-5) closes its regular season at Poland on Friday, then plays East Palestine in the postseason on Feb. 27.