It was March Madness at its finest at Alma on Monday (March 14) with Freeland (23-0) overcoming Alma 55-52 in an overtime thriller in the regional semifinal.
The game was tied 12-12 after one. Alma led at the half 21-20. Freeland took a two-point lead into the fourth, and after four quarters the game was knotted at 45. Trailing by two with 4.3 seconds remaining in regulation, Alma sent the game into overtime with a Sam Leppien dunk at the buzzer. Each team would own the lead in the overtime, but with the game tied, Josh Elliot gave Freeland the final advantage with a three-pointer with 1:08 remaining.
Rosales cashed in a three with 4.3 remaining to make it a two-point game and after a split of free throws by Alex Duley, Alma was unable to answer in the end.
Sam Rosales had 18 for Alma while Michael Howey had 11 points. Connor Lemerand 10, Cade Sutherland had seven seven and Sam Leppian six.
“I could not be more happy or proud with the way our guys played and represented our school and community,” Alma coach Chris Brown said. “We took a great team to the wire, executed our entire game plan, but sometimes being victorious isn’t alway reflected in the scoreboard.
“We had the opportunity to coach 12 great individuals and we could not have asked for a better group of young men to sharpen iron with throughout this season. We have so much to be proud of.”
Bryson Huckeby led the Falcons with 23 points.
Elliott was happy his team was still undefeated.
“I thought the environment was insane and it was extremely loud,” he said. “We played one of our worst games but still found a way to win the game. I think it just shows the grit of this team and how we never quit.”
Freeland plays Flint Hamady on Wednesday for the regional title.
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