There is an old saying that says “lightning doesn’t strike twice”. Well, how about three times? For the third time in the last three years, Bellwood-Antis had Penns Valley on the ropes late in the game. Also, for the third time in three years Penns Valley hit a three-pointer to tie the game with only seconds left and eventually went on to win in overtime.
Penn’s Valley’s Nate Kerstetter hit a three pointer to send the game into overtime, and teammate Evan Marshall hit a free throw with 0:11 seconds left in overtime that turned out to be the game winner as the Rams ended the Blue Devils’ perfect season with a 62-61 overtime win on Monday night in Bellwood.
Bellwood jumped out to the early lead, getting 6 early points from both Steve Crider and Ryan Myers. However, Penn’s Valley’s Carl Anderson hit a lay-up just before the end of the first quarter tied the score at 16-16.
Penns Valley then took control. Little by little, the Rams pulled away in the second quarter. Penns Valley’s stifling defense held the Blue Devils offense to only 4 points in the second quarter. Also, the Ram’s Carl Anderson started to take over, hitting several big buckets to pad his team’s advantage.
By halftime, the Rams had opened up a 29-20 advantage over the Blue Devils.
Bellwood-Antis stormed out of the locker room after halftime, quickly getting themselves back in the game thanks in large part to the outside shooting of Dan Smith and the post play of Ryan Myers. Myers scored 6 quick points inside and Smith hit two huge three pointers, the second of which was launched from almost seven feet outside the arc, giving the Blue Devils a one-point lead. However, the Rams closed the quarter strong and was able to cling to a 39-37 lead after three periods of play.
In the fourth quarter, neither team was able to establish itself as the clear-cut favorite headed down the stretch. Bellwood’s balanced scoring late in the game gave them control as the clock wound down.
After Ricky Shannon hit two free throws to put Bellwood up by 3 with 11 seconds to play, Bellwood came out in a full court press. The Rams entered the ball on the left side of the floor to guard Curt Royer, who dribbled up the left side of the floor and kicked the ball to Nate Kerstetter in the left corner for the game tying three pointer with 0:04 left.
Following two time-outs, the Blue Devils got the ball to Ryan Myers who dribbled up the floor and launched a last second shot that was too long and sailed over the rim, forcing the game to go into overtime.
The Blue Devils took a three point lead early in overtime thanks to two Ricky Shannon lay-ups. However, the next time down the floor, PV’s Evan Marshall hit a three pointer to tie the game again.
Following an exchange of buckets, Penns Valley held the ball on the Blue Devils, stalling for the last shot. With 0:11 seconds left, Evan Marshall drove to the bucket, was fouled, and went to the line to shoot two free throws. He missed the first and made the second, giving the Rams a 62-61 lead.
On their final trip down the floor, the Blue Devils got the ball to their go-to guy, Ryan Myers. Myers tried to drive to the basket but was stripped of the ball. PV’s Curt Royer recovered the loose ball sealing the victory for the Rams.
Penn’s Valley’s attack was led by Nate Kerstetter. The junior guard scorched the Blue Devils for 22 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter, including the game-tying three pointer. Also, Carl Anderson poured in 17 points to go along with Evan Marshall’s 10.
Ryan Myers led Bellwood-Antis with 22 points. Steve Crider added 14 and Ricky Shannon put in 12 of his own for the Blue Devils, who fell to 13-1 on the season.
The loss will force a play-off game for the Juniata Valley League first cycle championship between Bellwood and Mt. Union. Details of this game will be announced later this week.
Penns Valley 62 Bellwood-Antis 61
PENNS VALLEY – Anderson 6 5-5 17. Marshall 2 4-6 10, Breon 0 0-0 0, Benz 0 0-0 0, Royer 2 4-4 8, Shulman 1 0-0 2, Kerstetter 8 4-5 22. TOTALS 20 17-20 62.
BELLWOOD-ANTIS – Shannon 5 2-2 12, Smith 3 0-0 9, Mattern 0 0-0 0, Crider 6 2-4 14, Hughes 0 0-0 0, Carlson 1 2-2 4, Myers 8 6-6 22. TOTALS 23 12-14 61.
Score By Quarters
Penns Valley 16 13 10 15 8 – 62
Bellwood-Antis 16 4 17 17 7 – 61
Three-point goals: Penns Valley 4 (Marshall 2, Kerstetter 2); Bellwood-Antis 3 (Smith 3).
Junior Varsity score: Penns Valley 49 Bellwood-Antis 33.
