Isaac Mathews tip in as time expired in overtime turned out to be the game winner as the Park Center Pirates beat the Lakeville North Panthers 74-72 in the Class AAAA quarterfinals Wednesday afternoon at Target Center in Minneapolis.
The Pirates looked like their ship was crusing down the river as they openedd up the game on a 6-0 run before Connor Flack hit a free throw. Park cnter, using team speed, defense and superb passing looked like they were going to put lakeville North away as they vaulted to a 43-27 halftime lead.
Lakeville North, last year's Class AAAA runner up, did not quit in the second half. JP Macura got the second half scoring started, with five straight points. Connor Flack's putback also got the Panthers back in the game. They got even closer on a three pointer by Zach Creighton. However, Isaac Mathews three pointer increased the lead to four. They had a couple of chances to play Thursday night, but Kyrell Newell missed a free throw and Grant Erickson's offensive foul with :01.4 left sent the game into overtime.
On to the four minute overtime period. The Pirates went on a 4-0 run as Quinton Hooker and Devin Buckley scored. The Panther would take the lead on yet another three pointer from Macura. Isaac Mathews basket would even the game at 72 and he would be the hero when he positioned himself on the right side of the basket and tipped in Quinton Hooker's missed shot to send the Pirates into Thursday night's semifinal game at 8 PM against the Andover-Edina winner.
Quinton Hooker led Park Center with 29 points. Trayton Daniels had 16 and Devin Buckley chipped in 10. Buckley had 11 rebounds. Macura led Lakeville North with 26 points, including five three pointers. Flack had 17 and Creighton added 12.
Lakeville North concluded their season with a 23-7 record.
Comments