Camden Griffith had a big night for Gilman City with 29 points and 18 boards and the Hawks avoided a meltdown against Tri-County, winning 64-62 in overtime. Tri-County has only seven players out, but has shown the ability to beat anyone on a given night behind guard Gabe Manning and 6'5" skyscraper Landen Dodds. Last year, Tri-County took North Nodaway to overtime at the Gilman City Tournament.
The Hawks were coming into the game winning five of their last six, and at first, Friday's game looked like it would be no different. Carter Fewins' 3-pointer put the Mustangs in front 5-2, but then Gilman City was off and running after Griffith hit a free throw and Jace Estrada aired one out to Landon Preston to tie it. Consecutive putbacks by Jace Estrada put the Hawks into the lead at 9-5 and Kenyon Puls had a shot from the right wing to make it 11-5.
Tri-County tried to make a stand as Gabe Manning got going for them and cut their deficit to 15-11. But Camden Griffith got untracked and got to 10 first quarter points, hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 18-11.
Landen Dodds cut it to 18-13 to start the second quarter, but then Bo Eads hit a 3-pointer, Kenyon Puls converted a three point play, and Camden Griffith hit a free throw to make it 25-13. The Hawks raised it to 29-14 after Griffith drove and scored and then got it to 35-18 after Landon Preston aired it out to Camden Griffith with 1:15 left in the half.
But then Gilman City planted the seeds for its near-meltdown in the second half as they started hacking and fouling Dodds in the post, who promptly scored seven points to cut his team's deficit to 37-25 by the half. When he was coaching at Indiana and Texas Tech, Bobby Knight would always harp on the need to avoid such letdowns at the end of the half, and sure enough, Friday's game turned out to be an object lesson. Gabe Manning, who had been quiet in the first half with seven points, suddenly went off for Tri-County in the third quarter. Offensively, shots for the Hawks that normally go in were well off against the 6'5" Dodds, who might as well be 6'8" with his long arms. As a result, Tri-County would get the quick outlet to Manning, who would push the ball up the floor and score at will. Defensively, Gilman City, normally a good rebounding team, got sloppy on the boards, batting at the ball like they do in volleyball instead of grabbing the ball.
By the time the dust had settled, Manning had 13 points in the third quarter for Tri-County, which had cut the Hawk lead to 48-45 by the end of the third. Manning cut it to 50-49 early in the fourth, but then Camden Griffith started guarding him on defense, holding him to two points the rest of the way. Griffith went backdoor and connected and Bo Eads scored to make it 54-49, but Tri-County still had the momentum. Landen Dodds scored from inside, and then Carter Fewins started taking over, hitting five straight, including a guarded three to tie it at 56. Landon Preston leaped high in the air and grabbed a steal and finished to make it 58-56, but Dodds' putback tied it up with 14 seconds at 58. Landon Preston missed from the right baseline, Manning grabbed the defensive board, but one of the Hawk players stripped him of the ball and threw up a wild shot as time expired.
It looked like the Mustangs would take over in the extra period as Fewins continued his push by scoring and then Manning converted a steal to make it 62-58. But then Gilman City used that as their wakeup call and Landon Preston's putback turned into a three point play with 2:25 left to make it 62-61. Tri-County missed two shots and then turned it over and Landon Preston hit Griffith inside to put the Hawks back in front 63-62. Manning finally missed one and Gilman City took a big chunk of time off the clock as Tri-County was not in the bonus and had to start fouling. With 23 seconds left, Camden Griffith was fouled and missed both free throws, but Parker Virtue got the offensive board and the possession continued. Gilman City ran it down to 15 seconds before Tri-County put Landon Preston on the line, and he made one of two to make it 64-62. Tri-County had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Dodds got stuck behind the backboard and threw an errant pass, which was stolen by Griffith to preserve the Hawk win.
Camden Griffith had 29 points. Landon Preston had 17, Kenyon Puls 7, Bo Eads 5, Jace Estrada 4, and Parker Virtue 2.
Kenyon Puls had 2 blocks. Jace Estrada and Camden Griffith had 1.
Camden Griffith went beast mode with 18 boards. Jace Estrada and Kenyon Puls had 8, Parker Virtue 7, Landon Preston 6, Dakota Meringa 5, and Bo Eads 3.
Landon Preston had 9 assists. Camden Griffith had 5, Kenyon Puls 3, Dakota Meringa 2, and Jace Estrada, Parker Virtue, and Bo Eads 1.
Camden Griffith had 5 tips. Parker Virtue had 4, and Dakota Meringa, Landon Preston, and Bo Eads 2 each.
Kenyon Puls had 7 steals. Landon Preston had 5, Parker Virtue 3, Camden Griffith 2, and Bo Eads and Jace Estrada 1 each.
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