When the number 9th team goes against the 2nd ranked team in the state, there is no doubt in many minds about how the game will go. Being under immense pressure to fulfill the coaching polls and rank predictions as the underdog team against the Papillion La-Vista South Titans is not an easy statistic to shake. Yet the boys varsity team showed up and chose to play until the end of the tense game to prove themselves right as victors, winning 63-55.
The game started with a tip toward Millard South. Opening up the game with a lead for the Patriots was Tyler Albert who shot a swift 3-pointer from a quick pass by Bernie Andersen, the point giving the Patriots the momentum they needed to hold back the Titans. Although momentum wasn’t just scored from points.“It was very electric. The crowd and the bench, all that being there we got the win,” sophomore Carter Margheim said. All the factors of team skill and environment empowered a strong 1st quarter. The Patriots continued to refuse the Titans any lead off of them.
The 2nd quarter started rough, with the ball in the hands of the Titans’ number 20 who was able to take advantage of the soft defense to score a dunk on the Patriots. The score was evened to 15-15 as a series of quick passes by MSHS were intercepted, taken to the other side of the court, and scored against them with a lay-up. With a 3-point deficit against the Titans, a foul sent Andersen to the line. He made both, opening up more momentum for the Patriots as senior Koby Meyers found space to send a ball to Margheim. Margheim put up a shot, pushing past the Titans. With both teams fighting to get a lead, this game was a close one. The 2nd quarter ended 31-28.
In the 2nd half, both teams tried to settle back in on the offense and defense caused a rebound bloodbath up until South drove the ball from Albert to Margheim for a lay-up. With 12 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter, the score was 46-48 Titans. Jett Thomalla with possession of the ball drove closer to the net, passing to Albert, but no good. The ball was picked up by Kobe Meyers with 1 second left on the clock and sent through the net, tying up the game going into a tense 4th quarter. “It was good, you know, we all played as a team together. And everyone contributed and we just stayed the course,” Albert said. “All of our starting lineup returned (this season), so we had to have good team chemistry,” he said.
The chemistry showed in the 4th quarter. Thomalla sent the ball to Margheim for a lay-up that turned the tide to the first two-score lead since 1st quarter. With a minute on the clock, a foul sent Thomalla to the line, making both. With the Titans in possession of the ball, hoping to get a shot, they passed to number 1 and got outrun by Andersen for the turn-over. Going cross-court, the ball goes over into the hoop securing a miraculous 9-point lead in the final 30 seconds. Patriots shut down the Titans 4th quarter solidifying the game for an underdog victory, beating the #2 ranked team in the state.
The game left much to be proud of and to be excited about for the future of this varsity team.“I was proud of myself, and my team was proud of themselves and the other players,” Margheim said. “The way we all played together and came together as a team was very, very good as a team. Especially after the loss, we had the first game, but bouncing back like that was definitely a huge saint for us. And hope along the road I’ll help us get more wins,” he said. The future looks bright for the team. Another thing that keeps this team striving and strong is the coaches and how they bring the team together. “The coaches have been really nice to me, helping me transfer over and everything,” Owens said. “It’s nice that we didn’t have any seniors last year. The guys have really stuck together and helped include me,” he said. It is safe to say the underdogs came out on top, getting an early win against the Papillion La-Vista Titans. This season is truly a unique gem and will be very active this winter. As a takeaway, don’t forget to show up and cheer for our boys and girls Basketball teams this winter and cheer in the student section to support the fight on the court. Go, Patriots!
