Edmunds County Tribune -

The percentage of basketball games at any level that are that are won by the visiting team with the game clock winding down thanks to a designed play probably isn't all that high. But Ipswich did exactly that with a 61-60 victory over its LRC arch-rival Leola-Frederick last Friday in Leola.

What happened was that the hosts would only make one of two free throw tries with nine ticks on the game clock for a brief two-point 60-58 edge. But Ipswich was able to get a time out, then worked the ball to Ty Kadlec over the top of the Titan defense and his trey attempt was nothing but net. That indeed put Ipswich ahead 61-60 with about three seconds left on the scoreboard clock and no, there was no way there would be a last-second miracle by the host team. That's even though the time keeper would actually add two seconds to the game clock. How exactly was Ipswich able to pull off that miracle? "Ty received the pass on a sideline inbound from Taylor Thorson," said coach Tyler Severson. "Ty came off a screen at the top of the key from Josh McQuarie."

This game had been major-league close from the start as neither team would manage any lengthy runs.

A Matt Hettich basket had put Ipswich up 18-17 after a quarter and Thorson would drive the lane for a runner that would allow the Tigers to escape with a 30-29 halftime lead. But the hosts weren't obviously going home any time soon and would grab a 45-43 third-quarter lead of their own, again temporarily erased by another Thorson basket to open the final stanza.

Thorson had exploded for 21 points, including 13 in the first half of action and he included a trey. Next was Eric Severson with 12 points in the paint. Matt Hettich was also in double figures that evening with 10 points and he included one trey, as well. Kadlec would finish with eight points that included two treys. McQuarie added five points with a trey. Carter Geditz also tallied five points.

Ipswich's accurate floor shots featured those five treys and the Tigers were 2-2 in free throw attempts.

The bulk of Leola-Frederick's scoring attack was led by Isaac Sumption with a game-high 23 points and Josh Hoffman added 10. And the hosts were able to utilize a 13-19 free throw effort. These stats along with the scorers were all unofficial that were compiled right after the game. So the Titans managed 28 rebounds, led by Mason Hinz with eight and 10 turnovers, every one of which could be costly in a one-point game.

The win improved Ipswich to 14-6 entering this week's regionals and the third-seeded Tigers were able to stay away from the overall top-seeded Potter County's bracket. Tuesday's results weren't available as of our newspaper deadline, but Ipswich was scheduled to host sixth-seeded Faulkton Area (8-11) on Tuesday in the Tiger Den. The top-seeded team in their bracket turned out to be Lower Brule. The Sioux were set to host Sully Buttes on Tuesday.

The Tuesday winners would advance into Friday's bracket championship showdowns to be hosted by the higher seed at 7 p.m. The two Region 2B bracket champions will each advance to their respective SoDak 16 confrontations on March 9.

IHS AD Dan Knust said if Ipswich and Lower Brule both won on Tuesday, Ipswich would travel to Lower Brule. If Ipswich and Sully Buttes won, Ipswich would host Sully Buttes on Friday.