By Robert Jeffrey

Sun Sports Contributor

Cameron Turner Photo

SHERBURNE – The Sherburne-Earlville boys basketball team faced some fierce competition in the Central Valley Thunder on Friday, and with the outcome still hanging in the balance in the wee minutes of the contest – the Marauders were aided by the gusto of senior Matt Hull who buried some huge free-throws for S-E in their 73-69 victory on February 3.

The first two periods of the contest were the two lowest scoring quarters for both teams. The visiting Thunder drew first blood on the hometown Marauders stretching their lead out to five points before S-E responded. But, Sherburne-Earlville was able to shut down the Thunder offense limiting them to zero points after the half-way point of the first quarter. By the end of first quarter action, the Marauders took the lead 13-11 entering the second eight minutes of action.

The Thunder sought revenge in the second period, but the Marauders controlled the beginning part of the period. The Thunder made things interesting down the stretch- tying the ballgame at 25 with 1:05 left to play. Fortunately for S-E, they scored the final four points of the half – heading to the locker room with the 29-25 lead.

Central Valley refused to throw in the towel, as their eventual leading scorer in Jacob Schoff, who scored 22 points in the contest, scored 16 of his points over the final 16 minutes of play. Behind the offensive fire power of Schoff and teammate Brennon Seymour who each scored eight points in the third period – the Thunder came out of the locker room charged and ready to strike. Despite Sherburne-Earlville’s tandem of Matt Hull and Hunter Lane who combined for 18 points in the third quarter – the Thunder offense was running shot for shot with the Marauders and had cut the lead to two points; 51-49 with the final minutes left to play.

After being outscored 24-22 in the third quarter, the Marauders looked to stop the bleeding and sprint to the finish line. While neither side could stop one defensively, it became apparent that the final period was going to be a shoot-out between two foes. The marksmanship of Sylas Swingle who scored eight of his 10 points in the final period which included two trifectas from downtown at the 2:57 and 1:23 minute marks. The latter of his two three-point buckets gave the Marauders the lead. With the game tied at 64, Hunter Lane stepped up-caught the ball in rhythm burying another trey-ball, putting the Marauders up 67-64 with 52 seconds left to play.

The Thunder drilled a three of their own from Jacob Schoff with 40 seconds left. With the game tied 67-67, the Thunder had to rely on their defense to get a stop, and the Marauders capitalized with a Matt Hull converted and-one to put the hosts up 70-67 with 32.2 seconds left to play. The Thunder marched down 16 seconds later and scored, putting themselves within one of the home team. Forced to foul, Tyler Bigford was sent to the line for Sherburne-Earlville, going one for two from the line – which left the Thunder with a chance to go up in the game with the score 71-69.

Fortunately, the Thunder missed their chance and fouled S-E’s Hull – hoping for a miracle. The Marauder senior calmly knocked down the first, and with the same focus and finesse dropped in the second free-throw to clinch the victory for Marauders.