Can You Believe That?

The Sacred Heart Lions took an epic win Saturday against a rejuvenated Sacred Heart Guards team on home ground. The 2-2 Lions needed a good game to build on last week's defeat to Westphalia, but long-time anchor of the Guards team, Brian Rivers recruited some new blood this year and it took our Lions 15 minutes to break even 3 points clear and 5 points ahead at half-time thanks to an effective free-throw game.

The second half was equally tight, staying within 3 points until the Guards got ahead 59-55 with 5 minutes to play. The Lions clawed it back to trail 61-63 with 21 seconds on the clock. Some frantic action under the Lions saw the ball pushed out to Center Colin Fricke, who lofted the ball into the middle of the hoop as the final second of the game vanished from the clock. Amazing! Game tied 63-63 and into OT.

The Guards got the first shot in to regain the lead 65-63. With 12 second remaining the Lions missed two free-throws but scored again to trail 71-72 with 2 seconds on the clock and the Guards calling a time-out. Coach Fr. Fox said afterwards that he just told the Lions to pray.

On the restart, the ball was fired out of a scramble under the hoop to Colin Fricke again, this time in open space in the opponent's half of the court. With one second to play, Colin threw an over-hand 16-yard lob, which didn't even touch the rim as he took the Lions to a 74-72 win. The gym erupted as spectators, players, mascots and coach rushed the court and a stunned Colin grinned ear to ear.

"Can you believe that?" was the question being asked repeatedly as the Lions' fan filed out of the gym. Nobody could, but it was true and now the Lions are back on track for a winning season, with St. Mary's in Monroe next up, at 6pm, February 7.