West Lutheran H.S Boys Basketball Has Overtime Win in Section Semi-Final

On Tuesday, the West Lutheran boys' basketball team defeated Heritage Chrisitan in the 4A section semifinal for the second time in overtime, 80-76. The Barth twins led West with 25 from Dustin and 20 from Morgan. Isaiah Arbogast scored 15, with a clutch effort in overtime, and Paul Draeger chipped in another 12. Zach Weld led Heritage in scoring with 20 points, including several three pointers early in the game.

West got off to a very slow start, with Heritage pulling away to an early 12-0 lead. West quickly closed the gap to a tied game and went into half down by four. West's biggest lead of the game came with about 12:00 left in the second half with the score at 45-40. Heritage came back, going on a 21-4 run to take a 61-49 lead. The Warriors were still down by double digits with under five minutes left and the hope for a win was fading. However, Heritage missed free throws and turnovers allowed West to pull back into the game. A three pointer from Isaiah Arbogast brought West within one possession, and Dustin Barth converted a transition opportunity off a turnover into a floater in the lane to tie the game with 15 seconds left. Christian Pieper had a chance for a buzzer beater for Heritage, but was not even close on his three and the game went into overtime.

Heritage scored the first four points of overtime, but West turned up the pressure with their press and shut down the Heritage offense. Three pointers from Arbogast and free throws from Draeger and Morgan Barth sealed the game for West to go up by four with under ten seconds left. Weld threw up one more airball to end the game as the West students stormed the court while the Heritage fans and players stood in shock.

West will now play Maranatha Christian at Macalaster College at 5:45 on Friday with the winner going to State to play at Williams Arena and the Target Center. West has lost twice to Maranatha with strong showings in the first half both games.  However, in the previous games the Warriors squad was down due to injury and sickness.  West is now playing at full strength and will provide a strong competition for Maranatha.