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Weir outlasts JM in two OTs

MOUNDSVILLE — Weir and John Marshall haven’t experienced the best of hoop seasons this winter. They did, however, team up for one of the Ohio Valley’s most exciting games of the season.

The Red Riders — ravaged by injuries — and the Monarchs — without a senior on the roster — have combined for just 10 wins. The two scrappy squads, however, staged a dandy Tuesday night with Weir outlasting the hosts in double overtime, 74-72.

Coach Mike Granato’s Riders — who lost their starting point guard and post prior to the season with knee injuries — overcame some shaky free throw shooting to emerge victorious. The loss, meanwhile, spoiled an impressive comeback by Coach Chad Clutter’s Monarchs, rallying from seven down with 90 seconds to play in regulation.

“This is a game we would have lost earlier in the season. Our kids turned in a gutty effort and never cracked,” Granato said. “We do a good job killing the clock but we must do a better job at the free throw line.”

Weir missed nine free throws in the fourth quarter alone.

JM’s Gunner Thompson meshed two free throws with 22 ticks left in regulation to knot matters at 54. The Monarchs regained possession in the waning seconds only to miss a layup at the buzzer. The teams battled to a 5-5 standoff in the first overtime as both had issues at the charity stripe. The Monarchs misfired on six chances and the Red Riders missed three.

Weir drew first blood in the second overtime on a bucket from Keyshawn Faulks. The Red Riders would not trail the balance of the contest as the their earlier free-throw problems were transformed into a 9-of-13 effort from the stripe over the final four minutes.

JM had a chance to send it into a third overtime with no time left on the clock as a Monarch was fouled on a three-point try. He meshed the first but misfired on the second, sealing the win for the Red Riders.

Thompson turned in a valiant effort in the second overtime with nine points.

“It was one nice battle. We got better tonight even though we lost,” Clutter said. “Whenever you go into overtime you are forced to play out of your comfort zone. That makes you better.

“Our kids competed well. We made a nice run to force it into overtime,” he added. “We will get back to work tomorrow and get ready for Oak Glen Thursday night.”

Thompson took game-scoring honors with 28 points. Krisna Nathani was next with 14 counters while promising freshman Justin Frohnapfel chipped in with 11.

Faulks topped the Weir attack with 22 points. Matthew Anderson was fine support with 15 tallies while Levi Mikula added 12 counters.

Weir travels to Oak Glen Saturday night to launch sectional play.

Weir 74, John Marshall 72

Weir 12 15 15 12 5 15 – 74

JM 10 18 9 17 5 13 – 72

WEIR: Hall 3, 2-5 8; Faulks 10, 2-7 22; Hudacheck 1, 2-2 4; Washington 1, 2-2 4; Anderson 5, 4-6 15; Mikula 3, 6-8 12; Krutilla

2, 5-10 9. TOTALS: 26 22-40 74

JOHN MARSHALL (72) — Reid 2, 1-2 7; Norris 3, 2-4 8; Nathani 4, 5-5 14; Hall 0, 0-0 0; Thompson 9, 9-13 28; McLaughlin 2, 0-0 4; Frohnapfel 4, 2-4 11; Yoho 0, 0-3 0. TOTALS: 23 21-32 72. 3-pointers: Reid 2, Nathani, Thompson, Frohnapfel.

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