Metea Valley nips Neuqua in OT

Posted January 31, 2012 10:00 pm

By Nate Brown Daily Herald Correspondent

Pat Kenny of Neuqua Valley drives the ball to the net during fierce game action against Metea Valley Wednesday evening in Aurora. The two teams played in front of an average crowd. Paul Michna | Staff Photographer

Metea Valley captured its 20th win of the season in heart-stopping fashion over Upstate Eight Valley rival Neuqua Valley on Wednesday night in Aurora.

Senior Milan Bojanic sank a free throw with 2.6 seconds left, securing a 71-67 victory for the host Mustangs.

It didn't come easy.

"We let them get back into it, but we got it done in overtime," Metea coach Bob Vozza said. "It was a good game back and forth between two good teams."

The game was a dogfight from start to finish. In the second quarter Neuqua raced out to a 19-12 advantage, thanks to a 9-0 run. But Mustangs senior Ryan Solomon drilled three 3-pointers in the quarter, and Bojanic laid in an easy bucket late, sending the game into halftime tied at 28.

Metea (20-1, 9-1) dominated the third quarter, using a 13-4 run to build a commanding 10-point lead heading into the final quarter. It was again Solomon's hot hand and help from seniors Raysean Parker and Kenny Obendorf. But Neuqua wasn't about to go quietly.

"In the third quarter we played a lot better than we did in the first half," Solomon said. "But they played really hard and came back in the end."

The Wildcats (14-10, 5-5) clawed back from a 12-point deficit, thanks to a commanding performance from junior guard Jabari Sandifer. Sandifer drilled a basket with two minutes left, pulling the Wildcats within one. After hitting the front end of a pair of free throws, senior guard Tyler Sutton sank the tying free throw, evening the score at 59 and sending the game into overtime after both teams had chances to end it in regulation.

"Jabari really kept them in the game," Solomon said. "We did what we could, but he was better than our defense at that point."

Sandifer and Solomon traded 3s to open the overtime, and Sandifer drained a 3 with 1:06 remaining to even the score 66-66 after Solomon had given the Mustangs a 3-point lead. Solomon seized the lead for Metea with a free throw, and it was Bojanic draining 3 of his next 4, giving Metea its 20th victory on the season.

"It was a hard-fought game by everyone," Neuqua coach Todd Sutton said. "I'm very proud of them."

Sean Davis of Metea Valley grimaces while taking a shot during game action against a Neuqua Valley defender in Aurora Wednesday evening. Paul Michna | Staff Photographer

Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com Kenny Obendorf of Metea Vally takes a shot while Peter Catchings of Neuqua Valley attempts to block. This took place during first-half action in Aurora Wednesday evening. This was regular season game action. Paul Michna | Staff Photographer

Darian Miskel of Neuqua Valley leans back and takes a shot during game action Wednesday evening in Aurora. They were playing Metea Valley in regular season play. Paul Michna | Staff Photographer

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