With 26 seconds left in overtime of the Tigers game against Parkway South Fri. night (Jan. 10), OHS had the chance for the last shot. Little did anyone in the gym know they would need all 26 seconds to defeat South 54-52.

With about 10 seconds remaining after passing the ball around the perimeter, the ball got into the hands of Ervin Sarajlic (12). Sarajlic composed himself and drove to the basket where he was stopped at the free throw line and threw up a shot. It missed and it looked as if the game would be going to double overtime. That was until Austin Gillmann (12) grabbed the rebound over three South players and put back Sarajlic’s miss at the buzzer. After all three officials looked at each other, the official behind the three point line pointed to the floor and the basket counted.

The thrilling ending to the game was set up by a fourth quarter where the Tigers blew an eight point lead. South outscored OHS in the quarter 18-10. Most of South’s 18 points came from Luke Bakula who seemingly could not miss from behind the three point line. With 14 seconds left South held for the last shot. After good defense from Carvon Robinson (11) and Marquis Pepper (11) and a key block by Sarajlic on a putback attempt the Tigers were able to force overtime tied at 50.

The first three quarters OHS led most of the time, but the Tigers were not as crisp as they had been in their previous games. As many players and coaches said in the locker room after the game, these are games that good teams are able to win.

Sarajlic and Gillmann continued their fantastic year, both scoring over 20 points. Gillmann finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds and Sarajlic had 21 points. The Tigers’ next game will be Monday (Jan. 13) at Seckman to make up a game that was postponed due to snow. The game tips at 7pm.