Ward's Buzzer Beater Lifts Warriors Past Springboro

Warrior Basketball didn't make it easy on themselves last night, spotting the Springboro Panthers a 12-0 start to the game.

Senior Kaden Post gave the offense a much needed lift as he helped kick off the comeback attempt with a barrage of threes in the first half. A 17-5 first quarter deficit was chipped away to just three points as the Warriors went into halftime down 24-21.

The Warriors took their first lead of the game midway through the third quarter with another Post three-pointer to make the score 30-29, signifying the first of four lead changes in the third quarter as both teams traded blows.

A late Panther run gave Springboro a 37-36 lead heading into the game's final frame and that lead would expand to 44-38 with just a few minutes left.

The game's final push came in the form of a 12-2 run from the Warriors thanks to some more timely shot-making from Post and Isaiah Thompson, in addition to some critical play-making on both sides of the ball from the likes of Dontay Chivers (6 assists, 6 rebounds), Sante Jones, Sean Heisle, Mario Loritts Jr., and Kye Graham (3 steal and 4 deflections combined).

With the Warriors up 50-46 with under a minute to play, the drama was just getting started.

After the teams traded points, Springboro's Zeke Doliboa was fouled on a three with just a few seconds to go and the Warriors leading 52-49. Doliboa made just one of the tosses but the ball went out of bounds on the Warriors after the third free throw. Springboro scored on the out of bounds play, tying the game at 52-52.

With no time outs, Thompson inbounded the ball to Alphonso Ward just in front of halfcourt and without hesitation, Ward fired up heave that banked in and gave the Warriors a 55-52 victory.

The play, which can be seen here(Opens in a new window), has since been made the #1 play on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day(Opens in a new window) from yesterday!

Ward, who finished with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks, became the hero of the evening but it was the offensive output from Kaden Post and Isaiah Thompson who kept the Warriors alive. Post finished with a career high 29 points and 5 rebounds off an eclectic shooting performance - 9/13 from the field, 7-11 from 3pt, 4-4 from FT. Isaiah Thompson added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and an assist to help the Warriors stay in the mix.

The win sets up a showdown of the GWOC's top two teams on Friday when Wayne travels to Northmont. Both teams meet having won seven straight games and are 5-1 in conference play. Tickets are available here(Opens in a new window)!