YATES CENTER — The calendar still says it’s January, but Yates Center and Marmaton Valley High’s boys put together some early March Madness vibes Tuesday.
Unlike their matchup eight days earlier, when Marmaton Valley controlled proceedings down the stretch, Yates Center had several answers at both ends of the court this time around.
Yates Center erased a five-point deficit in the final 1:40 of regulation, with Gavin Busteed hitting a driving layup with 5 seconds left to force overtime.
Then, Yates Center took control in the latter half of the extra session, with Marcus Cummings hitting a pair of free throws with 2:08 remaining to give the hosts the lead for good of what became a 58-54 victory.
Yates Center has won five of its last six games — the sole loss was Jan. 20 to Marmaton Valley — and improved to 8-6 with the victory. Marmaton Valley (7-8) saw its three-game winning streak snapped.
The nip-and-tuck contest seemed to be tilting in Marmaton Valley’s favor down the stretch, as Brevyn Campbell heated up from 3-point range. The senior connected three times from downtown in the fourth quarter, including his trey with 1:40 left to push MV on top, 47-42.
Yates Center’s Ben Cook responded with a traditional three-point play to slice the difference to 47-45 with 1:30 left. Yates Center’s defense then forced back-to- back empty possessions, including Jeremiah Jones’ steal of a deflected inbound pass with about 9 seconds left.
After a timeout, Busteed took the pass in the right corner and banked in a driving layup with 5 seconds on the clock.
Lane Lord, MVHS freshman guard, brings the ball down the court in the varsity game.
Marmaton Valley was unable to get off a shot before the final buzzer in regulation.
Tyler Lord scored promptly in the extra session to push Marmaton Valley back up by two.
But Cook responded with a free throw before McVey found an opening underneath for a wide open layup to push Yates Center ahead 50-49. Dagan Barney scored for Marmaton Valley to give the visitors a 51-50 lead with 2:15 left.
That led to Cummings’ two free throws seven seconds later. Marmaton Valley turned the ball over before Jones scored to push YC’s lead to 54-51.
Marmaton Valley could not convert from the line on its next possession before Cook scored to push Yates Center’s lead to 56-51.
Yates Center gave Marmaton Valley a slight opening in the final minute, missing six straight free throws, but YC’s defense made it a moot point. Marmaton Valley didn’t score again until Lord scored with 22 seconds left for the final margin.
Cook propelled Yates Center with 22 points, followed by Busteed with 18 and McVey with eight.
Lord notched 20 for Marmaton Valley. Campbell scored 12 and Barney had nine.
