Win well worth the 'Waite'

MINSTER - In three previous overtime games this season, including a four-overtime classic against Fort Recovery, Minster had come out on the losing end of the outcome.

Monday night against Toledo Waite, Minster rallied from down 10 points in the second half and ended up in overtime against the Indians.

The Wildcats shined in the extra session, outscoring Waite 10-5 to win 74-69 in the regular season finale at the Wildcat gymnasium.

"This is our fourth overtime this year, but our first win in overtime," Minster coach Michael McClurg said. "It was nice for our guys to get one (win in overtime)."

Minster (12-9) battled some intense defensive pressure from Waite (13-9), turning over the ball 25 times in the contest. The Indians led 36-31 at the half and scored five points right off the bat in the third quarter to go up 10 at 41-31. Minster quickly rebounded with eight straight points from Mike Ketner, Isaac Dorsten, Jarod Schulze and Isaac Schmiesing to whittle down the deficit to 41-39 in a three-minute span. Keyshawn Leach broke the Indians' cold spell with a bucket. Waite finished the third quarter leading 47-43.

The Wildcats got hot to start the fourth quarter, scoring the first nine points to take its first lead since the first quarter at 52-47. Waite scored to cut the deficit only for Minster to answer every basket for most of the final quarter.

"We went on a 16-6 run, something like that," McClurg said. "That second part of the third quarter was big for us."

Minster led 62-60 after a Schulze free throw with 61 seconds left in regulation before Carl Banks tied the game with 52 seconds left. The teams traded turnovers before Aaron Ernst broke the tie with 35 seconds left with a layup, only to have Ronnie Sanders tie the game again with 23 seconds left. The Wildcats' last chance to break the tie in regulation fell short to send the game into overtime.

"We were able to handle their pressure a little better. Then it withered away a little towards the end," McClurg said.

Ernst opened the extra session with a layup 21 seconds into the extra session. Leach hit a free throw to make it a one-point game, but Dorsten scored to make it a three-point game. After a Waite missed basket, Cody Frericks was fouled and went to the line. Frericks missed the front end of the one-and-one, but Dorsten got the offensive rebound and Frericks eventually got the basket to make it a five-point game. Banks knocked down a three-pointer to get the Indians to within two but the Wildcats made 4-of-6 from the foul line over the final 96 seconds to hold on for the win.

"We had guys hit shots and were able to attack the rim," McClurg said. "Mike had some good takes to the basket. Aaron had some key shots and our passing was pretty good. We were making our free throws, which is huge anytime, towards the end of the game."

Ernst finished with a game-high 25 points to lead the Wildcats. Schulze added 11 points and nine rebounds and Ketner scored 10. Dorsten added nine points and 11 rebounds.

Leach recorded a double-double for the Indians with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Banks finished with 15 points, Dominique Booth scored 13 and Sanders added 11.

Minster is off until Friday as it awaits the winner of tonight's New Knoxville-Temple Christian game at the Division IV sectional at Allen East. The Wildcats won their regular season meeting with Auglaize County rival New Knoxville 64-49 at the Wildcat Gym. Minster and Temple Christian have only played once, with Minster winning.

"We're focused on New Knoxville-Temple Christian," McClurg said. "We'll see what happens if we're lucky enough to get a victory there."