Kingston senior Travis Tucker puts up a shot in a game earlier this season. Tucker led the Cardinals to the comeback win over the Pirates, scoring 13 points, including eight in the final quarter. (photo by John Cook)
By Mike Gallagher
Advertiser Sports Staff
KINGSTON — The Kingston Cardinals earned their first district championship since 2007 here Wednesday night, overcoming an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime, and then winning in double overtime, 41-32. Peck and Kingston split the regular season series, and the North Central Thumb League title.
The game was close throughout, and Peck held a 16-13 halftime lead.
The Pirates led 23-19 after three quarters, and started the fourth quarter strong, building a 27-19 lead when Kingston coach Dave Lester called a timeout.
“Honestly I was thinking we were in a bit of trouble,” Lester said. “We were not in the bonus yet, and we knew that we would need to be able to foul at the end of the game.”
When the Cardinals came out of the timeout, Kingston started to commit fouls, fouling Peck guard Cody Abrego on three straight possessions. When Abrego missed the front end of all three of the one-and-ones, the Cardinals capitalized.
Down eight, Kingston senior Travis Tucker drilled a three-pointer. On the next possession, Tucker made a layup, and was fouled, sinking the free throw to cut the lead to two.
A trio of Cardinal defenders surround Peck’s Kyle Abrego. Abrego was held to only 12 points in the Kingston win. (photo by Mary Gallagher)
“He’s (Tucker) just so clutch,” said Lester. “Playing with four fouls, and possibly playing his last game, his demeanor never changed, and at the end of the game, he’s the guy you want taking the shots.”
The Cardinals would get the basketball back after a Peck turnover, and with 12 seconds left on the clock, Kingston worked the ball around before Tucker found an open shot on the baseline. He knocked down the jumper, sending the game into overtime and the Kingston student section into a frenzy.
The first overtime was a defensive stalemate, as neither team scored.
In the second overtime, the Cardinals took control. Kylan Pennington made a jump shot to start the period, giving the Cardinals their first lead since the first quarter. Kingston would go on to hit eight of nine free throws in the overtime, while holding the Pirates to only one point.
Kingston senior guard Aaron VanHorn looks to work the ball up the court against Peck Wednesday night. VanHorn would finish with 10 points, including four in the final overtime. (photo by Mary Gallagher)
Clay Dailey and Aaron VanHorn both made four free throws in the second overtime.
“Clay Daily had a career game scoring 10 points and holding Kyle Abrego to 12,” stated Lester. “He’s not the strongest, or the fastest athlete, but he’s a really smart player, and defender.”
Tucker led the Cardinals with 13 points, and VanHorn scored 10, while guiding the Kingston offense from the point guard position.
“Aaron is just another coach out there,” Lester said. “Ive been around Kingston basketball for a long time, and he’s the most committed player that I’ve seen. He’s always making his teammates better, and he’s the hardest on himself.”
Kingston will play Bay City All Saints on Monday at 6 p.m. in the Class D regional at Akron-Fairgrove.
