Axtell 58, B&B 53 in Overtime

To say this is the great season for Axtell doesn't give it enough justice, then you add the fact the season isn't close to being over as they earned a bid into the Class 1A-Division IIstate tournament taking down the B&B Falcons to win the sub-state championship, 58-53 in overtime.

This was the third time the Eagles and Falcons meet up on the court and Axtell won two of the three over the course of the season both in tournament settings and continued that trend topping the Falcons again. It was another quick start for the Eagles to take an early lead and push out to a 26-19 lead at the half.

The Falcons would not go away quietly battling back to take the lead for the first time in the game in the third quarter, as B&B used a 19-8 third to take a 38-34 lead going into the fourth period. Axtell responded after that with a 10-6 fourth in tie the game to force overtime, but the end of regulation wasn't without dramatics as the Falcons dribble out the last few seconds and junior, Dustin Rottinghaus miss fired on a three to win the game at the buzzer.

In overtime each team traded early leads, then B&B pushed out to a five-point lead, before things switched back to favor Axtell. Senior, Taylor Platt nailed a three to bring Axtell within two points, then the Eagles would tie the game. With the game tied close to a minute left Falcons had a turnover and missed shot, Axtell would take the lead on a Payton Heinen shot, followed by a chance to extend the lead with a pair of free throws by Taylor Platt as he made one of two to give Axtell a three-point lead with around 20 seconds left to go in overtime. Falcons ball they bring it across the timeline and dribble into trouble and call a timeout to preserve the possession, but the Falcons were out of timeouts.

It was the Michigan play all overall, it resulted in two free throws for Axtell and possession with only five seconds to go. Senior, Aaron Schmelzle sunk both free throws and the Eagles soared high to the win.

Axtell in the game were lead by junior, Payton Heinen who followed his 33 points sub-state semifinal game with a 26 point sub-state championship game. Schmelzle joined him in double figures with 12 points on the night, also.

B&B was lead by a season high 22 points from junior, Dustin Rottinghaus who had a great night, he was joined by sophomore, Trent Schulte and senior, Curtis Stallbaumer who tallied double figures. Schulte chipped in 11 points while Stallbaumer added 10 points in the loss.

Falcons wrap up a great season 17-6 with the loss, but did enjoy a TVL regular season title going 10-1 in the league. For Axtell they improved to 16-8 on the season punching their ticket to the state tournament in Hays this week.