Altamont Comes Back From Being Down By 20 To Defeat Casey Westfield 61-59, Advance To First Sectional Championship

In game that was heard on  Jack FM and for those in attendance,  it was a game that will not soon be forgotten.  As Tuesday night Casey Westfield and Altamont clashed to see who was going to the Class 1A Altamont Sectional Championship.  Altamont came storming back from down 20 points in the second half to came back and win.  It was done in front of what can only be described as one of the loudest gym I have ever been apart of.  And that was only the semi final game,  as Altamont comes back to win 61-59 over Casey.

The game did start out back and fourth like we thought it was going to be,  just like the two teams previous encounter. Casey came out with back to back threes from Jackson Parcel and Connor Sullivan to take the lead 8-6.  Hayden Parcel would make back to back buckets, as Casey took the 12-8 lead forcing Coach Niebrugge to call a time out.  Casey would continue the three point shooting to close out the quarter with a couple of treys from Ryan Richards to make it 22-9 in the Warriors favor.  Casey would hold the lead 22-10 after one.

The Warriors would go on to start the second with a 6-0 run to grab a 28-10 lead. Avery Jahraus would make his first three of the game to make it 28-15.  Only to be answered right back with a Grant Cochonour three pointer of his own to make it back to 31-15 with about 3:40 left to go in the quarter. Dillan Elam for Altamont would hit a deep three before going into the locker room to get the deficit back down to 12,  33-21 at the half.

Casey would continue pouring it on as the Warriors came out on a 10-2 to start the third. The run capped off by Jackson Parcel’s  third three of the night to give Casey their largest lead, 43-23.

Then the comeback was on.  With both sides of the ball coming up huge for the Indians.

Off the timeout Altamont began their comeback with a 12-0 run offensively. But really what got the Indians going was Eli Miller on the defensive end.

Eli’s smothering defense on Hayden Parcel really got the crowd back into it. On offense it was back to back threes from Logan Cornett and Jahraus to make it 43-29.  Then it was back to back buckets by Elam to get the defect down to 10,  43-33.   The run caused Coach Brannon to call the time out.

Off the timeout Casey couldn’t in bound the basketball before the five second call, turning the ball back over to Altamont.  Mason Robinson came up huge down the stretch of the third and with on a personal six point run to get the Indians within seven to close out the third, 46-39.

In the fourth quarter Jahraus would tie the game up at 49-49, on his third three of the night.

Robinson would finish a tough shot to give Altamont their first lead since the first quarter 51-49.

Sullivan would get an offensive rebound to tie it back up again 51 all.  Elam and Eli would make a couple clutch shots to grab the lead 55-52. Jackson Parcel would give Casey the lead back 56-55, on his fourth three of the night.

Robinson would convert a put back bucket to retake the lead 57-56.  Then Robinson would convert a couple of free throws to make it a three point game.

With Altamont in the lead 59-58,  Jahruas came up with a huge steal to stop an easy basket for Sullivan. The turnover was with with only six seconds to go.  Avery made one of two at the line Indians had the lead 60-58.

Then with 3.8 seconds left and one more foul left give, Altamont tried to foul Jackson Parcel for just a common foul but instead the officials said Parcel was in the act of shooting a three. They then awarded Jackson with three free throws to potentially win the game.

With the person you would want at the line for Casey to win the game,  Jackson missed the first free throw.

Made the second only trailing 60-59.

But Parcel missed the third free throw and Elam would grab the rebound and be fouled with one second left. Elam would go one for two at the line. Parcel would have one more opportunity for a 3/4 court  only to see the ball hit the rim and inches away from a spectacular game winner. The miss gave the Indians the come from behind victory.

Altamont now is on to their first ever sectional championship game berth in school history. The Indians also improved to 29-4 on the season. Altamont awaits the winner of Wednesday matchup between Tuscola and St. Anthony in the championship.  The gym was rocking tonight and surely will be on Friday for the championship as well.  Tough act to follow for the Warriors and Bulldogs on Wednesday.

Casey closed out another strong season for the Warriors at 19-11.

Altamont Points ‘

Robinson 27, Elam 13, Jahraus 12, Hammer 4, Cornett 3, Eli Miller 2.

Casey Westfield Points

Jackson Parcel 28, Richards 10, Sullivan 9, Hayden Parcel 7, Cochonour 3, Nolan Clement 2.