HUBBARD OUTLASTS LEOPARDS IN OVERTIME

HUBBARD, Ohio –

Trailing by 15 at the start of the 4th quarter, the Hubbard Eagles (4-7) had quite the mountain to climb in an old TAC-8 rivalry renewed against the Liberty Leopards (6-7).

The Eagles came out strong to start the 4th, but really made their run with around 4 minutes left in the game. After slowly chipping away at the Liberty lead, the Eagles instituted a full court press. The chaos of the Eagle defense proved to be too much for the Leopards to handle as they watched their lead dwindle to just 2.

After a steal at half court by Hubbard senior guard Anthony Gagliardi, it looked as if the Eagles were about to finally draw the game even, but Gagliardi would miss the open layup. Off of the missed layup, Hubbard would send Liberty’s Jameer Weaver to the line for a one and one opportunity, in which Weaver would connect on both and extend the Liberty lead to 4 with under 2 minutes remaining.

Following sloppy play from both teams, it was Hubbard’s Ryan Laird who brought the game back to within one score after knocking 2 free throws down. Then, following a layup from Liberty’s O’marion Dawson and two free throws from Hubbard’s Paul Sundy, the Leopards had the ball and a chance to possibly put the game on ice.

Liberty would fail to convert and gave Hubbard the ball back with under thirty seconds to go. When a timeout was called both teams headed towards their bench, senior forward Andrew Frank noticed that the spot was going to be underneath the basket.

“Once we saw that the ball was on the baseline, all of us looked at each other and agreed that was the play that was going to work”. That play of course, was an inbounds pass to Frank in the corner who would fake a handoff to a fellow Eagle then had a wide open lane to the hoop, where he’d take just two dribbles before rising up and slamming one home to tie the game at 51 all. “I can’t even describe it,” Frank said. “My adrenaline was rushing I couldn’t even think. That moment and that game was probably the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.”

After holding out on one more Liberty possession, the game was sent into overtime, where the Eagles would come out victorious, 61-57.

LEADING SCORERS:

Hubbard

Andrew Frank – 11 points

Ryan Laird – 11 points

Anthony Gagliardi – 10 points

Liberty

Jameer Weaver – 12 points

Rushad Chambers – 11 points

O’marion Dawson – 10 points

UP NEXT:

Hubbard – Looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Eagles will travel to Niles to take on the Red Dragons (1-8). These two teams faced off earlier in the season in a thriller that came down to the last shot with Niles coming out on top, 49-47.

Liberty – Coming off their heartbreaking loss, the Leopards must turn their attention to Crestview (8-9) Tuesday the 9th. Liberty won the first matchup 48-34.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson