Hahnville comeback stuns Wildcats in overtime

Jubilant Hahnville coach Marcel Fisher bounded out of his team’s locker room Tuesday night into the waiting arms of several just-as-jubilant fans.

Make that jubilant and relieved.

Hahnville had just pulled off a comeback nearly as exciting as the one witnessed by millions of football fans on Sunday– against the Tigers’ biggest rival.

After overtaking the Tigers’ 14-2 first quarter lead to jump ahead 26-18 at the half, Destrehan seemed to have this one in hand. Heading into the fourth quarter, Destrehan led Hahnville 37-27. But thanks to a flurry of Destrehan turnovers and missed shots, Hahnville chipped away until, with 43 seconds remaining, Fountainette Bradley sank a pair of free throws to give the Tigers a 47-46 lead.

But he missed an attempted buzzer beater, which sent the game into overtime tied at 49.

Destrehan quickly retook the lead but, as its shooting woes continued, again failed to hold it. With less than a minute remaining, the Wildcats led by 7. But Hahnville continued to chip again until, with 12 seconds remaining, Nate Kennedy’s easy layup gave Hahnville a 62-61 lead. Then Sai Fisher added a final free throw to give the Tigers a 63-61 victory.It was a crucial game for both teams, which are in need of wins to make it into the playoffs. But it was a big boost for Hahnville, which had to fight equally hard to take last Friday night’s 49-42 win against Thibodaux.

“Against Thibodaux, I saw some resiliency,” Fisher said. “We were down and we were able to battle back. And tonight we got down and we just kept playing.”

Mason Aucoin led the Tigers with 16 points, including a crucial 3-pointer a foot off the key with 2:03 remaining in overtime that cut Destrehan’s lead to 56-54. Fisher finished with 13 points, McKinnie with 12 and Kennedy finished with 10.

The Tigers will travel to Terrebonne Friday. Fisher said he hopes his team’s battling ways continue. The last time they played, Hahnville won despite allowing Terrebonne to score 29 points in the fourth quarter.

By Lori LyonsContributing writer

 

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