Bulldogs Hit Last Second Shot to Edge Indians for Regional Championship

In a game marked by great defense, two key offensive plays decided the championship of the Nokomis 1A Boys Sectional Tournament Friday night.

The St. Anthony Bulldogs edged the Altamont Indians 40-39 in a game heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.  

As to the two key offensive plays, Altamont's Garrett Ziegler sped down the floor and hit a shot with six seconds left that gave the Indians a 39-38 lead.  St. Anthony's Neil Williams then took the ball the other way and hit a buzzer-beater that gave the Bulldogs the one-point win.

It was defense that marked the rest of the game, though.  

St. Anthony led the game 8-4 after one quarter, and the Bulldogs held a 19-16 halftime advantage. Altamont outpointed St. Anthony 13-8 in the third quarter, though, and took a 29-27 lead at the end of the period.  The teams battled back and forth throughout the final quarter with St. Anthony leading 38-37 before the final shots by Ziegler and Williams.

St. Anthony made 41% of its shots from the field, hitting 16 of 39.  The Bulldogs made eight of 13 foul shots, turned the ball over 12 times and pulled down 35 rebounds while missing all four of its three-point tries.

Altamont made just 26% of its shots, 13 of 50, made 10 of 16 foul shots, turned the ball over just seven times and grabbed 27 rebounds.  The Indians made one of 17 three-point shots.

Williams led St. Anthony with 11 points.  Also for the Bulldogs: John Goeckner nine, Matt Gibson and Andrew Gardewine six points each, Alex Hoelscher four and Zach Gardewine and Frank Jansen two points apiece.

Ziegler led Altamont with 11 points.  Also for the Indians: Derek Jahraus nine, Justin McGinnis seven, Jake Seidel five, Cole Borders four, and Aaron Goeckner three points.

St. Anthony improved to 21-10 on the season.  The Bulldogs will take on the Oblong Panthers Tuesday at 7pm at the Red Hill 1A Sectional in Bridgeport.  Oblong won the Edwards County Regional, defeating Cisne 57-50.  The contest will be broadcast on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.  Ticket sales will be at the door Tuesday night.  Doors will open at 5:45pm.  All tickets are $5.00.

Altamont ends the season with a 24-4 record and says goodbye to seniors Justin McGinnis, Garrett Ziegler, Cole Borders, Jake Seidel, Derek Jahraus, Griffin Jackman, Aaron Goeckner and Matt Kuhns.