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Saturday, January 16, 2016 | BataviasBest.org
Batavia’s Ryan Hogan has been through a lot this season. Having to go through dealing with the death of his father during the football season, his senior year in Batavia Blue and White has not been an easy one by any stretch. But yesterday, perhaps all of the grief and angst that has likely built up inside Hogan went away just for a night. As he was the Devils’ hero on Friday.
Hogan’s game winning jumper tonight for Batavia vs HFL #BoysBasketballpic.twitter.com/UsGFZKxuL5
— Batavia’sBest Scores (@BB_Scores) January 16, 2016
The clutch jump shot from Hogan came with just under a second remaining on the game clock in double overtime of Batavia’s huge 61-59 win over HFL last night – which ended a two-game losing streak for the Blue Devils. In short, it was the biggest shot any Batavia player will likely hit all season. And probably the biggest since this one:
Hogan completed the night with 18 points on 7/16 shooting, while also chipping in 4 rebounds and 4 assists in his first game since being transitioned to the point guard position – where he may stick for the time being considering his big performance vs the Cougars.
Following the clutch jumper, the entire Batavia ‘Blue Zoo’ stormed the court and hoisted Hogan onto their shoulders in celebration of their classmate’s breakthrough performance. It was exciting to see, especially considering how into it the entire crowd was for the entirety of the contest.
A back and forth game throughout, Batavia and HFL traded the lead on several occasions during both the first and second halves – which provided added excitement to both team’s fans, who were already rambunctious from the opening tip.
Then, late in the fourth quarter with under a minute to go in regulation and the game tied, neither side was able to get the late bucket they needed in order to take the lead and win the game – so to overtime we went.
During the first of the two extra sessions, HFL took the lead early-on, but with 1:45 to play on an Adonis Davis layup Batavia regained the advantage and seemed to be in position to win the game. However, the Cougars were able to come through in the later stages of the game, tie the score, and send it to a second overtime.
How fitting it was that this fantastic contest would come down to not one, but two extra sessions, as each side performed exceptionally well throughout all 36 minutes thus far.
To begin the second OT HFL again took the lead right off the bat, but a huge three-pointer from Batavia’s Trevor Sherwood tied the score at 56 with about 2:25 to go on the clock. Immediately following Sherwood’s big shot, though, HFL’s Tommy Eastman hit a clutch three of his own in order to put the Cougars back on top. But just as it seemed HFL had all the answers, the Devils’ Nashiem Harris came through with a big finish on an and-one which cut the deficit from 3 to just 1 prior to a timeout which came before the ensuing free throw.
Harris would go on to make the free throw out of the timeout, and we were all square at 59 with 1:14 left to play.
On the next possession, HFL would wind the clock and eventually attempt a game winning jump shot with about :30 seconds remaining, and missed – but got the offensive rebound and would call timeout to set up another attempt at winning the game. Out of the timeout, the Cougars again failed to convert on the GW shot, and Batavia took over possession as a result of a tie up under the rim between Sherwood and a Cougars player – which turned into a jump ball.
On the ensuing possession, Batavia inbounded the ball to Hogan in the backcourt, allowed him to control the ball the length of the floor, dribble to open space at the free throw line, step back – and knock down the winning jumper.
A bit emotional immediately following the big moment, Hogan embraced the Batavia fans as everyone seemed to be soaking the moment it in for all it was worth.
What a great finish to a great game.
If you missed it, sucks to be you.
Other articles you may like:
Brighton shuts out Batavia Hockey
Friday’s High School Sports Scoreboard (1/15/16) Batavia wins in double-OT
