Honkers edged in overtime

The Willows High boys basketball team had a few things working against it Tuesday in its Sacramento Valley League opener, but in the end it was the clock that was its biggest enemy in a 43-41 overtime loss to visiting Live Oak.

When Live Oak co-captain Tony Montes hit an off-balance shot in the lane that first rolled around the rim before dropping, it gave the Lions a two-point lead, and Willows 2.4 seconds to go the length of the court for the final shot. Forrest Bateman ran a curl pattern and took the inbound pass just past halfcourt, but was unable to get a shot away after turning to his left and driving toward the basket.

The Honkers had an opportunity to end the game in regulation, but MIchael Bradley's buzzer-beating attempt rimmed out, forcing the extra five minutes.

The Honkers were hampered even before the game tipped off, because starters Ryan Welsh, Forrest Johnson and Javier Raigoza watched the game in street clothes. They were each finishing off two-game suspensions imposed by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for participating in the 3-on-3 benefit basketball tournament for Adam Domingo held Jan. 2 in Orland.

Willows athletic director Jerry Smith explained that playing in the 3-on-3 violated CIF bylaw 600, which does not allow participating twice in the same sport during a season. By competing as a 3-on-3 team, it was the second time they had played basketball, along with the games for the Honkers. He said that the original suspensions were for eight games — two for each game played in the tournament — but that the CIF reduced the suspensions after hearing an appeal by himself, the players and their parents.

Neither the Honkers nor the Lions came out shooting the lights out, as the first points were not scored until a pair of Live Oak free throws with 4:40 remaining in the opening period. The lead was stretched to 6-0, before Vadym Samoylov and Bateman each scored a pair, and Live Oak added a free throw to make it 8-7 Willows after one.

The Honkers managed just six points in the second quarter, and trailed 16-14 at the break.

A pair of hoops by Live Oak's Markus Hackett opened the third period, sending the Lions ahead 20-16, but the Honkers would later score eight points in three successive possessions to take a 28-23 lead. Awaaz Patel and Garrick Jones nailed back-to-back threes during the stretch. Ismiale Gardon dropped a three-ball to close the quarter, with Willows clinging to a 28-26 lead.

The Honkers went up by as much as 37-32 in the fourth quarter, but Live Oak forced the 41-41 stalemate by converting two free throws after drawing a blocking foul with nine seconds remaining.

Samoylov's jumper in the pain gave Willows a 39-37 lead in the extra frame, but Willows could only add a pair of Bateman free throws before the final buzzer.

Samoylov finished with 19 points and Bateman, 12 for the Honkers, while Live Oak countered with 15 from Gardon and Montes' 11.

Willows (8-9, 0-1 SVL) hosted Colusa Friday. The Honkers have a home game with Durham Tuesday, and head to Arbuckle Friday to take on Pierce.

Craig Purcell is sports editor for Tri-County Newspapers. Contact him at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com

Live Oak 43, Willows 41

Live Oak 7 9 10 11 6 -43

Willows 8 6 14 9 4 -41

Live Oak (43): Gardon, 15; Montes, 11; Hackett, 9; Qayum, 5; Kang, 3

Willows (41): Samoylov, 19; Bateman, 12; Jones, 5; Patel, 3; Stephens, 2