Presented By Chillicothe VAMC
The Waverly Tigers outlasted the McClain Tigers for a 50-44 overtime win Thursday in the Division 2 Boys Regional Basketball Semifinal at the OU Convo.
McClain darted out to an 11-2 lead, but Waverly caught fire and evened the score at 13-13 at the end of one quarter.
McClain built a 21-16 lead in the second quarter, but saw Waverly close on a 5-0 run, including a Will Futhey bucket off a Mark Stulley pass to even the score 21-21 at halftime.
The game remained tight throughout the third quarter, with Waverly getting a 25-21 lead and would not trail from 6:08 left in the third period until McClain took the lead back 32-31 early in the 4th quarter. That lead climbed to 34-31, before Waverly drew even at 34-34 at 3:10 in the fourth quarter.
The game was fast and furious in the closing two minutes with both teams trading baskets and at 2:11 remaining McClain held a 39-38 advantage. Waverly’s Trey Robertson’s hit a three-pointer to gave Waverly a 41-39 lead.
Kendall Toney’s bucket with under 20 seconds to play tied it at 41-41.
Waverly had the ball with chance to win it in regulation, but Trey Robertson’s offensive foul gave McClain the ball back with 2.9 seconds left. The inbound pass was intercepted by Waverly to send the game to OT at 41-41.
Big defensive play by McClain near end of regulation kept McClain in the game…
In the OT, Waverly’s 6-0 run gave them a 47-41 lead as late 1:07 remaining, as Mark Stulley took a charge that fouled-out McClain’s Preston Saunders. Braden Wright scored to cut it to 47-43 with 45.7 seconds. TO McClain.
McClain was forced to foul to get the ball back, but Trey Robertson sank two free throws for a 49-43 lead with 38 seconds remaining.
Bryson Badgley made one of three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt, making it 49-44.
Waverly ate up the remaining time and put the game away at the foul line for their 50–44 victory.
Waverly improves to (22-4) and McClain’s season ends at (17-4).
Waverly shot 18/44 from the field- including 4/21 from the arc for 41%. McClain shot 17/35- including 6/16 from the arc for 49% from the field. A major factor was on the foul line, where Waverly was 10/17 compared to only 4/6 for McClain.
Waverly’s Trey Robertson led all players with 24 points, teammate Will Futhey scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Braylon Robertson added 6 points and Mark Stulley with 3.
McClain was led by Kendyll Toney with 14 points, followed by Bryson badgley with 10. Seth Wise and Preston Saunders each had 7 points, Braden Wright had 4 and Wesley Potts scored 2.
Waverly won the rebounding battle 25-19 and McClain was hurt as Waverly forced 17 turnovers. Waverly had 9.
Waverly will face Heath in the Regional Championship at 4pm Saturday, March 12th at the Convo. Heath defeated Meadowbrook 47-44 in the other semifinal.
