Margaretta defeats Huron in 6 OT thriller

Margaretta's game Thursday against Huron was extended by six overtimes to tie for fifth among the longest in Ohio history. 

Polar Bears junior Dylan Morris was a major reason why Margaretta endured six extra periods in an 84-82 victory over Huron in a Division III district semifinal at Norwalk.

"It's fun," Morris said of the marathon matchup. "Coach (Steve Keller) said to enjoy it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing."

Morris canned a 3-pointer to put Margaretta ahead for good with 5.4 seconds left in the game.

"Dylan's aggressiveness in the second half was big," Keller said. "He made shots. He showed a lot of toughness. They all did."

Morris, who finished with 16 points, split two free throws to cap scoring in regulation at 44-44. Margaretta led 37-30 before Huron scored eight straight.

"I work a lot on free throws at practice," Morris said. "It eats me. It was great (to make his go-ahead jumper). I was angry for missing the free throw. Nick trusted me and Coach said to shoot with confidence.

"Everyone wants (the last shot). Nick drew a double-team. I was open and I had to hit it."

Morris' block directly under the basket preserved a 71-71 tie to force the final overtime.

"I told Nick I had his help," he said. "I tried to time it and luckily I blocked it without a foul."

The Polar Bears (13-12) play Carey (19-6) in the fourth district final in program history at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Norwalk. They lost in the district finals in 1975 and 2002 and won in 1932.

Margaretta's Bailey Kimberlin stole an inbounds pass and threw it off the rim at the other end after the Polar Bears' Brycetyn Hedden tied the game 71-71 in the fifth overtime. Huron scored with 10 seconds left to cap the fourth overtime 65-65.

Kimberlin, who finished with 28 points, scored for a 60-60 tie after three extra periods and a 48-48 tie after one. Nick Leibacher made two free throws for a 54-51 advantage with 21.7 seconds left in the second overtime before Huron knocked down a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Hedden had 17 points and Leibacher added 13.

Morris had the wind knocked out of him as he bruised a rib in overtime and missed several minutes.

"It stayed with me," he said. "Coach said to play through it and fight through it. He said he needed me out there."

The longest postseason games in Ohio were two that included nine overtimes and two others that had eight.

mhorn@gannett.com

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