Last-second putback gives Springdale boys victory over Apollo-Ridge

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 | 10:54 PM

With overtime looming at Apollo-Ridge, Springdale freshman Logan Dexter grabbed a missed shot and tossed in the winning basket with 1.1 seconds left.

The basket lifted the first-place Dynamos to a 47-45 victory in the Section 1-2A game.

Springdale owned a 45-39 lead with 2 minutes, 55 seconds to go after Dexter’s unusual three-point play. The 6-foot-2 forward made his first free throw, missed the second but grabbed his own miss and scored to put the Dynamos up by six.

Vikings sophomore Jake Fello rebounded a missed free throw and made a 3-pointer to bring Apollo-Ridge to within 45-43.

After two missed Springdale free throws, Fello attempted another 3-pointer and misfired. But Keighton Reese followed with a basket to tie the score 45-45 with 1:11 to go.

The Dynamos held for a final shot.

“We wanted a delay game and go for the last shot,” Dynamos coach Aaron Epps said. “I actually thought our delay game was good all night. They were disciplined, and I was pretty confident we could get the last shot.”

Mike Zolnierczyk couldn’t get off a good shot as he was guarded closely by Bobby Mangan, allowing Dexter to scoop up the loose ball.

With time still on the clock, Apollo-Ridge coach Greg Fox frantically tried to call a time out but to no avail.

“I was proud of the kids fighting their way back to put us in that position,” Fox said. “We were shooting so poorly in the first half I was glad that we were only down by two at the half.”

Springdale (8-3, 4-1) maintains its share of first place in the section, and the Vikings slipped to 5-7, 2-3.

Apollo-Ridge led 14-7 midway through the second quarter, but the Dynamos finished the half with a 14-5 surge.

Springdale took a 37-30 lead on Zolnierczyk’s steal with 53.6 seconds left in the third period. The lead increased to 39-31 on a basket by Fritch early in the fourth quarter.

“We just had too many turnovers in the second half,” Fox said of his team’s nine miscues. “They weren’t pressing us. It was just us making bad decisions out there. We got ourselves in position to win, though. We didn’t do enough of the little things tonight.”

Said Epps: “We took control of the game, but we missed free throws down the stretch. Give them credit. They never quit. A great-shooting team like that, they can hit some things.”

Zolnierczyk led the way with 17 points, and Fritch added 11. Fritch and Dexter had six rebounds each.

Mangan and Fello had 11 points each to lead the Vikings, and Klay Fitzroy collected seven rebounds.

Springdale sophomore Roman Liberati suffered a possible broken nose when he hit the floor after going for a loose ball. He was taken to a hospital, and his status for Friday’s big home game against Summit Academy is unknown.

Springdale, Summit and Sto-Rox are tied for first place at 4-1.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Springdale