West Branch works double-overtime against Niles

DeShields, Warriors storm from behind vs. Niles in final minute of regulation

By Steve ruman

sports @vindy.com

NILES

Down 70-63 with just 50 seconds left in regulation, West Branch coach Randy Montgomery had a simple message for his squad Tuesday in a Division II sectional game at Niles.

“Our nickname is the Warriors, and I told them we needed to play like Warriors to close the game,” Montgomery said. “We just had to be who we are.”

Montgomery’s troops responded in glorious fashion.

West Branch (11-12) scored seven straight points in the final 38 seconds of regulation to force overtime. They then rallied in both extra sessions to log an improbable 94-86 double-overtime road win over the Red Dragons.

The Warriors’ victory sends them into a sectional final contest Friday at Poland.

Niles ends its season at 10-13.

West Branch was paced by T.J. DeShields, who scored 22 points. He was one of five Warriors to reach double figures. Austin Smith added 16 points, while Jeremy Gorby scored 15 and pulled down a game-high 22 rebounds.

Niles was paced by the Kane-Johnson brothers. Senior Cameron Kane-Johnson scored a game-high 35 points, while freshman Cyler Kane-Johnson tallied 24.

“I’ve been coaching for over 30 years, and I’ve only been involved in one similar comeback,” Montgomery said. “This was one incredible basketball game played by two teams that didn’t want to lose.

“We won this game tonight with heart. We were Warriors. I can’t say enough about how this team didn’t give up.”

West Branch began its comeback in regulation when DeShields connected on a 3-pointer to cut its deficit to 70-66. A missed Niles free throw on the front end of a 1-and-1 gave the Warriors possession with 22 ticks left. DeShields missed a shot but got his own rebound and scored. Niles then turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds play, and Gorby tied the game at 70 with a turnaround jumper with 2.3 seconds showing on the clock.

Niles took a quick 74-70 advantage in the first overtime on a Cameron Kane-Johnson 3-pointer and free throw. However, West Branch eventually tied things up at 78 on a DeShields layup with 8.2 seconds on the clock.

Niles again led in the second overtime on a Cameron Kane-Johnson three. But sophomore Michael Boosz hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 83-83. He then gave West Branch the lead for good with another shot from beyond the arc with 1:18 left in the second overtime.

“My role on this team is to hit from long range,” Boosz said. “I felt like I had to come through because so many guys tonight played so great. Everyone seemed to make one key play after another, and I felt that I’d let my team down if I didn’t come through.”

West Branch led throughout the game until Niles took its first lead midway through the third quarter. From that point on, there were 11 lead changes and nine ties.

“If this wasn’t a tournament game, we’d be able to look back and say what a great game this was for both teams,” said Niles coach Ron Price. “But because this is the tournament, this one will hurt for a while.

“Both teams played their butts off. I’m so proud of my players.”

Cameron Kane-Johnson finished his career with 1,342 points — a school record.