(New Buffalo, MI) - The New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball team won the District 4 championship in a thriller against Eau Claire, which stormed back from an 18 point second quarter deficit.

 

The Bison won 69-63 on Friday, February 27 at River Valley High School where the post-season tournament was played.  New Buffalo led the entire way until the Beavers mostly on three point shooting and turnovers converted into points evened the score with two minutes left in the game.

 

New Buffalo Head Coach Nate Tripp said the Beavers’ full court pressure defense contributed to the rally by wearing down his players in the second half.  The Bison still had a 10 point lead early in the fourth quarter but a quick burst of consecutive three point baskets helped the Beavers get back into the game.

“They can shoot the lights out.  You get a hand in their face and they’re still hitting it,” he said.

 

New Buffalo seemed to look nearly defeated when the Beavers off a steal tied the game, but senior Trevor James after fouled put the Bison up for good by making both of his free throw shots.  The game was practically sealed with less than 30 seconds left when senior Lucas Forker after making a free throw missed his second attempt from the line.  However, sophomore Colten Lijewski going up for the rebound tipped the ball into the net.

 

Eau Claire after missing their next field goal attempt fouled senior Nick Haskins, who made both free throws with seven seconds remaining on the clock.  Haskins said the speed and quickness of the Beavers gave them problems but he was never worried about the outcome.  He’s among the players who played on the varsity team as freshmen and won just a single game during a major rebuilding year.  The team kept becoming more competitive and made it to the District 4 championship game last year but lost to Michigan Lutheran.

 

“It’s just a cool story.  We started low and then we’re here now.  We’re winners.  We’re champions,” Haskins said.

 

Haskins finished with 12 points.

 

The strategy for the Bison was to take advantage of the Beavers’ lack of height by feeding the ball as much as possible to their 6’4” center Forker, who dominated with 25 points and 17 rebounds.

 

Forker, who predicted victory before the game, was double teamed and forced to go strong up to the rim for many of his points.

 

“I feel great.  I feel so good.  I’m so happy for my team,” he said.

 

Senior Trevor James had 15 points.  He said the victory was especially sweet after last year’s loss in the District 4 title game.

 

“It feels great,” he said.

 

Lijewski contributed eight points while senior Sam Tripp added four points and senior John Bradshaw had three points.

 

New Buffalo scored the first eight points of the game and led 33-15 late in the second quarter but the Beavers off steals scored six quick points to trail by 11 points at halftime.  The Bison open the regionals Tuesday at Marcellus against Colon.