Morton made a remarkable comeback in the final four minutes March 9, erasing all of a 13-point deficit against Richwoods.
But two big shots gave the Knights the final salvo in a 56-54 boys basketball overtime decision in the Class 3A Ottawa Sectional semifinals.
The Potters were down 45-32 after a Tony Frazier basket at the 3:52 mark of the fourth quarter.
By the time Adam Kumpf hit a long three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left, Morton (22-5) tied the game at 49.
It scored 10 points in the last 36 seconds of regulation at Kingman Gymnasium.
“What we made of the last four-five minutes of the game was outstanding,” MHS head coach Steve Schupp said.
Will Headean gave the Potters the first strike in overtime.
After Brett Bisping drew a charge at the 1:30 mark, Headean upped Morton’s lead to three points.
On the next Richwoods possession, the Potters did not get the benefit and a blocking call was made on a Tylon Deal field goal.
Tyler Lundeen restored the Potters’ three-point advantage with two free throws at 1:11. He sank his final seven attempts at the line.
Mason Alwan got loose for the Knights and drained the game-tying three with 56 seconds remaining.
“I wish we could have defended that one,” Schupp said of Alwan’s third trey of the night.
After Richwoods (27-2) got the ball back, Frazier found a seam and drove to the hoop for the winning points with two seconds left.
Morton and the state No. 1 Knights both called timeout at :01.2 before Richwoods intercepted the Potters’ final inbounds pass.
“I thought we represented ourselves very well, but we wanted to be playing for the sectional championship,” said Schupp.
The Potters were staring at a nine-point deficit before Lundeen went to work.
His bucket preceded two missed Richwoods free throws. Lundeen’s three-point play at :24.8 allowed Morton to creep within 48-44.
The Potters netted five points in the last 12.2 seconds.
After Morton forced a jump ball, Frazier was assessed a technical foul.
Lundeen swished both free throws to set up Kumpf’s heroics.
Richwoods was up 12-6 after one quarter, but the Potters trailed only 20-19 at halftime as Kumpf hit two threes in the second period.
The Knights stretched their lead to 37-28 by the end of the third quarter as they launched four triples in a span of 2:33.
“Those threes they hit in the third were just daggers,” Schupp said.
Bisping kept Morton in range in the fourth with a three-point play at 4:29 and another later basket.
He topped Morton with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
“That was an awesome effort,” said Schupp of Bisping’s output. “He’s a really special player and I hope he achieves all he’s capable of.”
Of Lundeen’s 11 points, eight came in the pivotal fourth period.
Kumpf tallied nine points and Austin Voeller and Headean seven apiece.
Aaron Davis, who was 0-for-5 at the line, and Frazier were Richwoods co-leaders with 15 points.
The Potters canned six of their last seven foul shots after starting 5-of-13.
It was the final game for Schupp in a dignified 15-year varsity basketball coaching career.
He also has coached football, golf and baseball at Morton over 38 years.
Ottawa, Ill. —
