Great Escape, Warriors Win Opener

Ottumwa -- It wasn't pretty -- opening games often aren't -- but, in the end, the Indian Hills basketball team made enough plays to win their opener, 60-52 in overtime, against Quakerdale Academy on Thursday night at the Hellyer Center.

The Warriors trailed 48-41 with around four minutes to play after Quakerdale's Nathan Freeman knocked down four straight shots, three of them three-pointers. Indian Hills then ran off eight consecutive points to grab a 49-48 lead with two minutes remaining. Chad Dillard scored off an assist from Trey Starks to put the Warriors on top.

The lead didn't last long though as Quakerdale's Chris Oliveria hit a baseline shot as the shot clock was running out to make it 50-49 in favor of the visitors.

Indian Hills' Stephen Coles was fouled with 10.4 seconds to play, but missed both free throws. Teammate Jerome Jones rebounded the second miss and was fouled. Jones made the first foul shot to tie the score at 50-all, and made the second one too. But that shot was wiped out by a lane violation against Indian Hills.

The Warriors then survived a last-second potential game-winning shot attempt by Quakerdale to extend the game to overtime.

In the extra session, Starks opened the scoring with a three-pointer and Gary Ricks, Jr. added another three for IHCC. Starks hit a pair of free throws and Bruno Ferreira scored on a layup as the Warriors outscored the Eagles, 10-2, in overtime.

Quakerdale jumped out to a 19-13 lead in the first half as the Warriors got off to a slow start offensively.

Indian Hills took a 27-23 lead at the half when D.J. Bennett scored on a tip-in late in the opening half.

The visitors though ran off the first five points of the second half and battled the Warriors on even terms until Quakerdale opened their seven-point lead.

Jones started the IHCC comeback with a bucket and Starks then took over, hitting two free throws and a shot in the lane and assisting on Dillard's goal to give Indian Hills its 49-48 lead. Starks had all but two of his team-high 11 points at the end of regulation and overtime.

Ricks had 10 points for the Warriors. Freeman led all scorers with 15 for Quakerdale.

Indian Hills will host the Reed Overhead Doors Classic this weekend with games against Southwest Academy on Friday night at 7:00 and Ellsworth CC on Saturday at 7.

Final score: Indian Hills 60, Quakerdale 52 (OT)

QUAKERDALE Nathan Freeman 6 0-1 15, Jamal Johnson 0 0-0 0, Jamell Johnson 0 0-0 0, Yuri Leath 1 0-0 3, Dejoni Norris 4 0-2 9, Chris Oliveria 6 1-4 13, Mario Redmond 0 0-0 0, Tyler Washington 0 0-2 0, Frederick Young 4 4-6 12 Team 21 5-15 52

INDIAN HILLS Stephen Coles 1 2-10 4, Jerome Jones 3 3-3 9, Derrick Hill 3 0-0 8, Dijon Farr 3 0-0 7, Kelvyn Valdez 0 0-0 0, Trey Starks 3 4-5 11, Bruno Ferreira 1 0-0 2, Riley Stuve 0 0-0 0, Chad Dillard 1 2-2 4, Gary Ricks, Jr. 4 0-0 10, D.J. Bennett 2 1-1 5 Team 21 12-21 60

Halftime score: Indian Hills 27, Quakerdale 23; Three-point field goals: Quakerdale 5 (Freeman 3, Leath 1, Norris 1), IHCC 6 (Hill 2, Ricks, Jr. 2, Starks 1, Farr 1)