Poplar Wins Thriller Over Wolves To Advance
With the season on the line, Poplar’s boys’ basketball squad accounted for its play of the year.
The Indians trailed Wolf Point, 72-69, with seven seconds left in a loser-out game at the District 2B tournament. Chasen Pribbernow hit a deep three-pointer with 2.8 seconds left and was fouled on the play. The sophomore then hit a free throw to lift the Indians over Wolf Point, 73-72, and earn a berth to the divisional tournament.
The Wolves missed a halfcourt attempt at the buzzer.
Pribbernow’s incredible shot ruined a great comeback by the Wolves, who trailed by 15 points at one time in the third quarter.
After a close game for most of the first half, the Indians ran off the last eight points of the second quarter on a drive by Wilder Bearcub, three points by Ryder Olson and a three-pointer by Chasen Pribbernow for a 3731 half-time advantage.
The Indians then put together an 11-0 run early in the third quarter for a 48-33 margin. Olson scored five of those points while Dane Moran hit a three-pointer and Chasen Pribbernow had a three-point play.
Poplar held a 54-40 advantage later in the quarter when Wolf Point responded with a drive by Sean Hamilton, a basket by Zandon Calder and a drive by Richard Campbell.
The hot shooting of Hamilton, a senior, helped the Wolves stay close at 61-53 to end the period.
Wolf Point opened the fourth quarter on a three-pointer by Hamilton and a free throw by Jett Azure. With Poplar up 64-59, Calder connected on three free throw attempts to bring the score to 64-62.
A three-point play by Calder put the Wolves up, 6564, with 2:32 left. Azure then fired in a three-pointer for a 68-64 advantage.
Poplar fought back on a three-pointer by Moran and a drive by Chasen Pribbernow to move back ahead, 69-68, with 51 seconds remaining.
An inside shot by Calder put the Wolves up, 70-69, with 28 seconds left. After Poplar missed a three-point try, Hamilton hit two free throws to increase Wolf Point’s lead to 72-69 with 10 seconds remaining. The Indians then called time-out to set up their game-winning play.
Poplar’s top scorers were Chasen Pribbernow with 18, Olson with 15 and Moran with 14 points.
Leading the Wolves were Calder with 28, Hamilton with 18, Azure with 13 and Campbell with 10 points.
Poplar will open divisional tournament play against Choteau at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in Shelby. Other first-round games are Rocky Boy facing Harlem, Malta meeting Fort Benton and Fairfield playing Plentywood.
