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Guard Jett Slusser drives the key in the fourth quarter, making one of two baskets that lifted the Pirates to the win.
Ollie Severs stole the ball and took it up for two to tie the score 34-34 and added another bucket after this one to give Pomeroy its last lead of the game. Severs and guard Jett Slusser combined for 10 unanswered points to pull the Pirates ahead of Gar-Pal in the fourth quarter of last Wednesday's loser-out contest in Dayton.
DAYTON–Trailing by four points as the fourth quarter got underway, Ollie Severs took control of the Pirates' destiny and muscled his way through the paint for six unanswered points, then Jett Slusser stepped into the fray with two key-driving buckets to lift the Buccaneers out of the doldrums and propel them to a 46-41 win over Garfield-Palouse and one more game to play-and possibly a State Berth.
The Pirates hit the maple at Dayton High School at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, February 16, against the Liberty Christian Patriots, who were 43-40 victors over Sunnyside Christian in the semifinals. Winner of the Pomeroy/Liberty contest will be the third from the SE1B District into the State Tournament.
Pomeroy blew out of the gate with a 16-8 lead over the Vikings thanks to three pointers by Jett Slusser, Ollie Severs, Trace Roberts and Kyzer Herres. As Pomeroy's nets smoldered, Gar-Pal's shots were clanking out and Roberts and Severs were snaring rebounds.
As the seconds counted down on the second quarter, Slusser dribbled to find an opening to shoot a three, bobbled the dribble and cast off toward the hoop anyway. Severs was in position for the rebound and put up the bunnie-which banged out-but he went back up, rebounded the miss and it dunkled in a whisker before the buzzer and a 24-20 half time score.
The Vikings amped up their defense in the third quarter and the Pirates seemed to be off balance while Gar-Pal's 5-9 guard Lane Collier burned up the floor, leading his team a trio of buckets and three free throws. Then Brendan Snekvik blasted a trey to add to Pomeroy's pain, ending three quarters with a 34-30 score, Gar-Pal leading.
Opening the fourth quarter, Severs and Slusser combined for 10 unanswered points and Gar-Pal helped with a few turnovers along the way.
Slusser fed Severs for the first bucket in the paint. Getting back on defense, Severs swiped the ball and took it to the hole to tie the game 34-34.
The D held again and the Pirates worked the ball in to Roberts who dished to Severs for the lead with about six minutes remaining.
Defense again held the Vikings at bay, and Slusser brought the ball up and pierced a lane to the bucket for Pomeroy's eighth straight point. Gar-Pal again turned the ball over and Slusser again penetrated the paint for another bucket and a 40-34 margin with 2:57 on the clock.
Collier finally broke the ice for GP with a basket and Slusser's next shot caromed out. Collier drove and Boone Schmidt was whistled with his fourth foul, sending the sophomore guard to the line where he missed the first and made the second with 1:49 on the clock.
The ball was worked around the perimeter and in to Severs who scored on the third offensive rebound.
But 6-2 Viking guard Liam Cook rattled the hoop with a three pointer at the one-minute mark, shaving the difference to 42-40.
After a time out, Pomeroy executed and Slusser's drive to the basket was good at :44 and a four-point lead. Collier pushed into the paint and drew Roberts's fourth foul at :36 remaining, Collier muffing the first but hitting the second.
Coach Chris Wolf called a time out and started a play but GP's Snekvik fouled Slusser-the team's third foul. After another time out, GP again fouled and with 15.8 on the clock, Collier fouled Slusser, who swished both gifters for the 46-41 final.
