Plains hosts Superior for exciting series

Friday was Senior Night for the Plains basketball teams and a monumental battle between the Horsemen and Trotters and the Superior Bobcats. The community packed in to commemorate their seniors – Izzy Crabb, Shylah Hynn, Kassidy O'Keefe, Carlie Wagoner, Gunner Gannarelli, Aaron Pfister and Joseph Pullen – and to partake in the high energy cheers that have become signature to the Plains games.

Community members and players were wearing teal in honor of senior Halee Nelson from Plains who recently passed away.

The girls started the games off. Superior came out quick with a three-pointer from Darby Haskins and were in the lead 14-0 before Trotter Maddy Blood made her two free throws. Trotter Teirainy Bellinger made a shot just before the buzzer to end the quarter 18-4, Superior. Jaelyn Carr made a three point shot and the Bobcats had several three-pointers flying off their fingers to end the half at 43-12.

Bobcat Molly Patko started the third quarter with a three-point launch. Trotter Kassidy O'Keefe made her two free-throws and then did it again. Bobcat Isabella Pereira shot a 3-pointer to seal the third at 58-18. The Trotters came out aggressive in the fourth quarter with Carlie Wagoner sinking shots and Plains making two free throws to give the Trotters five points to the Bobcats six. The Bobcats won 64-23.

Then the Horsemen and Bobcats rocked the stands. Superior made the first shot but the Horsemen were ready for battle. Zayden Allen made the first point for the Horsemen with a free throw, Eddy Perianez was back in the game, from an injury, making shots and Anaya Loberg made a couple back to back to end the quarter 11-8, Plains in the lead.

At six minutes in the second quarter, Superior gained the lead. Gunner Gannarelli nailed a three point shot and Perianez sank the ball right at the buzzer. The Horsemen trailed at the half 22-16. Loberg hooped a three-pointer to begin the third, then Gannarelli shot a three-pointer. Loberg was on fire, hammering in one shot after another and ending with a three-pointer to end the third at 35-33, Bobcats ahead.

In the fourth quarter at 5:30 left on the clock, the score was 41-33, the Bobcats in the lead. That changed fast after Aaron Pfister banked the first shot for the Horsemen. A three-pointer by Loberg and then Gannarelli put the Horsemen in the lead 46-45 with 1:15 left on the clock. At 24 seconds left it was 50-47, Plains and at 14.7 seconds it was 50-50 and then into overtime.

With shots made and missed by a split of a hair, fouls and timeouts, the Horsemen were up 53-51 with 1:30 left on the clock and then with two free throws made by the Cats it was 53-53 and into Double Overtime.

With Perianez and Loberg fouled out, the team held the battle at 55-55 and with 46.9 seconds left on the clock the Bobcats seized the lead and won 57-55.

Loberg scored 48% from the floor, made 50% of his three-point attempts, shot 20 points and rebounded 10. Allen said it was his best game. Gannarelli shot nine points and made three three-pointers and Allen grabbed 13 rebounds.

Coach Tyrel Allen said that the team is constantly improving.

Last Tuesday Plains traveled to Florence to take on the Falcons. FlorenceFalcons beat the Trotters, 67-23 and the Horsemen lost 66-41.

For the Horsemen, Darren Standeford shot 16 points, Allen scored eight and Loberg hooped seven points. Coach Allen said that what stood out in the game was Allen taking three charges.

On Thursday the team made the trek to St. Ignatius to play the Bulldogs. The girls lost 77-52. The boys were defeated 77-52.

For the Horsemen, Loberg shot 10 points and made 73% of his total shots and Standeford racked up 17 points and rebounded eight. Allen said that Standeford did a good job of blocking the Bulldogs best player. The Horsemen made 54% from the free-throw line and Allen said the team played hard.

Plains played Eureka on Tuesday and the results were not available by press time. Keep up with the District 7-B action on The Ledger Facebook page.