(New Buffalo, MI) - It took going into overtime, but the New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball team won their opening game in the District 4 post-season tournament. The Bison (13-10) defeated Countryside Academy at home Monday 71-63.

 

The players formed a circle at half-court and celebrated what might have seemed impossible after winning just two games last year and losing six of their first seven games this year.

 

Senior Elliott Bourne credited the sudden turnaround to working extremely hard to improve during the off-season and throughout the regular season, noting that he and his teammates deciding to play as a team was also a factor in the rags to riches season.  

 

“We put in so much work, it’s unbelievable. The change in our team from last year to this year, I don’t think any other team has been like this before. It’s awesome. I never thought this would happen,” he said.

 

“It feels like we’re a brotherhood now,” said senior Andres Becerra.

 

New Buffalo led by seven points at the end of a fast-paced and physical first quarter before seemingly being overwhelmed by the Cougars, who evened the score at halftime.

 

In the third quarter, struggles continued for the Bison, who trailed by as many as seven points until 6’3” center Lucas Forker seemed to ignite a comeback, making two quick lay-ups and a third easy bucket after Becerra nailed a three-point shot.

 

Nick Haskins later narrowed the gap to one point by stealing the ball at half-court and racing in for a lay-up. The Bison led by as many as five points in the fourth quarter largely due to a couple of spectacular buckets from 5’7” M’Nason Smothers.

 

The Cougars, though, came roaring back to force overtime with a hard-fought lay-up at the buzzer. 

 

New Buffalo went ahead for good when Becerra made both free throws thanks to a technical foul called on the Cougars. He then caught a long pass from Haskins and drove in for a lay-up.

 

The Cougars pulled to within three points with a minute to go, but couldn’t get any closer.

 

Forker led the team with 18 points. Becerra had 13 points while Bourne contributed 11 points and Haskins scored 10 points. Smothers finished with eight points.

 

Head Coach Nate Tripp said the victory felt good but he won’t feel a sense of accomplishment unless the team wins the district title.

 

“I feel progress. Not accomplishment. We got a couple of more games to go before we feel that,” he said.