Weiser wins third place at State in overtime, 47-41.

  One thing that can be said about the state boys basketball tournament, there wasn't a dull game. Every game was close including Weiser's last on Saturday, March 3. Weiser was the visitor to Sugar-Salem. Weiser controlled the play for most of the game but in that fourth quarter, SS staged a come-back to knot the score 36-36. Weiser came out for the overtime with a determination to win this game and that's exactly what our boys did winning 47-41 and claiming third place in state. Weiser's defense is a large reason for their success with the quick hands and blazing speed of our boys.
  Starters were seniors Drew McKie and Issac Zanelli, juniors Tyler Hemphill, Elias Daniel and Justin Roberts. Weiser scored first off a hook shot by McKie with the assist from Zanelli. Daniel putback an offensive rebound. McKie to Roberts for the three, 7-2. McKie had the move inside for two. McKie rejected the ball which Brock Bumgarner picked up and passed to Bruce Hamilton on the fast break for the lay-up, 11-4. McKie came down with the defensive rebound, outlet passed to Bumgarner for the lay-up. SS screamed for a time-out with 1:08 on the clock. McKie had the steal with the pass going to Bumgarner on full sprint. At the last possible second, Bumgarner passed to his right to Derek Reyes for the lay-up. Weiser would lead 15-6 at the end of the first quarter.
  McKie hit the long two in the top of the second quarter. Daniel sank one free throw. Zanelli with the bucket, 20-11. Hemphill's speed caused a SS turnover. McKie sank two free throws. Hemphill caused another turnover with his quick hands. Zanelli drove the key banking the shot in. At the half, Weiser 24, SS 15.
  Sugar-Salem had the momentum going their way in the third as they clawed back into the game trailing by a point 24-23 halfway through the quarter. Bumgarner sank a free throw. Hamilton to McKie to Reyes back to Hamilton cutting through the key for the lay-up. It was that quick! Zanelli for three and breathing room. Weiser still had the lead 30-26 with eight minutes to play in regulation.
  McKie sank two free throws early in the fourth quarter. McKie to Zanelli for two, the foul and the made free throw, 35-26. The fouls began in earnest and the game became quite physical at this point. Weiser was making only half their free throws once again. Hemphill made one free throw. SS hit a three at 1:20 to tie the game 36-36. Weiser had time to use the clock but chose to shoot with the shot missing and SS claiming the rebound. SS used almost an entire minute before calling time-out to set up for the winning shot. The clock showed 12.9. SS went for the shot but McKie blocked the shot sending the teams into overtime tied 36-36.  WOW!
  The jumpball appeared to be going into Sugar-Salem's hands until Bumgarner stepped in and stole it. McKie went inside and it took four tries but he was able to put his own rebound through the cylinder. Daniel banked home a shot, 40-36. Bumgarner had the underhanded dish for two. Bumgarner made one free throw. McKie's block forced a jump ball. Sugar-Salem had to foul. Hemphill made one, McKie made two and Zanelli made one free throw. Weiser would savor the win 47-41 and actually smile when handed their third place trophy.
  Scoring: McKie 14, Zanelli 11, Bumgarner 6, Daniel 5, Hamilton 4, Roberts 3, Reyes and Hemphill 2 each.
  Free throws: 13 made of 24 attempts.