The phrase “shooting lights out” is familiar to basketball fans. But Dec. 29, it really happened.
With 4:11 to play in the game between Malcolm and Centennial and MHS leading 36-31, half the lights in the gym went out. The village was having electrical problems, officials said, and those impacted the school.
After rewiring circuits, a Malcolm student dance party and allowing the athletes to warm up again, the teams played even the final four minutes and Malcolm pulled out a 45-38 win.
CHS Coach Cam Scholl said he’d never been through anything like that.
“It was weird,” he said.
“I have to say, this is probably the most unique holiday tournament experience I’ve ever been a part of,” MHS Coach Chris Lewandowski said.
Despite the enforced half-hour break, Scholl said, the game was good for the Broncos.
“We wanted to play a talented team,” he said. “It’s good preparation for February and March.”
One of the keys for Malcolm was limiting Centennial’s offensive rebounds, Lewandowski said.
“They didn’t get any in the first half. That was important for us,” he said.
The Clippers feature a big, strong, quick group of seniors, and the Broncos competed hard, he said.
“I think we gave them everything they wanted,” he said.
But to win games against opponents like that, CHS has to rebound and get to the free throw line.
“It’s a mentality,” Scholl said. “It’s more want-to.”
Malcolm was able to get to the line in the fourth quarter and was 8-11 to help seal the win.
“If you’re going to win close games you need to hit your free throws,” Lewandowski said. “We had guys step up and make them when it mattered the most.”
Centennial’s Maj Nisly led all scorers with 20 points. Malcolm’s Hayden Frank scored 18 and Drew Johnson added 11.
Coming off the holiday break, Lewandowski said, play can be sloppy.
“You have to find a way to win and that’s what we were able to do,” he said.
Centennial (5-3) defeated Wilber-Clatonia 39-19 in the third-place game Dec. 30. Malcolm (6-3) took down Oakland-Craig 63-31 for the tournament title. Frank scored his 1,000th career point during the game.
On Jan. 3, the Broncos hosted Heartland and beat Huskies 42-35, thanks to a 17-3 first quarter. Nisly scored 21 for the Broncos, and Lane Zimmer notched eight rebounds. CHS next hosts Sutton on Friday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. and then travels to Raymond Central Saturday, Jan. 7.
Malcolm is next in action Thursday, Jan. 5, when Milford comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. game. MHS then hosts Columbus Scotus Friday, Jan. 6, at 7:15 p.m.
