Game Audio Below:
The West Plains Zizzer Boys Basketball team traveled to Salem this past Wednesday night to take on the Tigers. While the Zizzers started out quite slow in the first half, they won the game by a Score of 60-57 in double overtime.
1st Quarter: Zizzers control the tip but have the ball taken away and shot up and good by Roy Stevens. Tigers will start on the board at 2-0 as they play a 2-3 zone. A three pointer from the left wing by Lincolin Thomas adds three more to make the Tiger lead 5-0. But rebound Zizzers and a turnover by Salem. Zizzers look for a three but are either shooting it too hard or missing. Several of these attempts by Clayton Robbins for the Zizzers. First team for the Salem Tigers by Lincolin Thomas. Zizzers having their fair share of trouble as Gavin Sapaugh goes to the line for the Tigers who continue to refuse the Zizzers so far in the first half. Zizzers finally make it onto the board as Jacob Moore goes up and in for two with under 3:50 to go. Three more for Clayton Robbins brings the Zizzers to briefly trail by eleven before Braden Gaspch for the Tigers shoots a three of his own. Rebound Tigers and a left hander by Pryor who is fouled. Tigers keep it and Lincolin Thomas goes up and in for two more. Rebound Zizzers and the second three of the night for Clayton Robbins. A whole other slew of runs and scores, Braden Gaspsch shoots a very close three for the Tigers and is almost fouled. Rebound Zizzers and another layup by Josiah Long. Another ten footer right at the buzzer by Pryor as the Tigers hold onto the lead by a Score of 21-10.
2nd Quarter: Jared Kraft makes his first bucket of the ball game from thirteen feet. A set of turnovers as Zizzers try to go one with it but the Tigers go the other and take it back. Roy Stevens with another bucket brings the Tiger lead back to Eleven, 23-12. Zizzers continue to draw themselves into foul trouble as the only Zizzer who does not have a foul in the first half is senior Ethan Tuma. Second team foul for Luke Pryor for the Tigers will allow Clayton Robbins to go to the line to shoot two for the Zizzers. Robbins makes one free throw and rebound Salem Tigers, but a steal. Pass from Aiden Judd to Jared Kraft and up and in for two. Offensive rebound by Gavin Sapaugh for The Tigers who scores his fifth point. Jared Kraft gets the ball back and scores his Seventh for the Zizzers. A pushing foul on Ethan Tuma sends Lincolin Thomas to the line for the Tigers, Thomas makes one free throw. Josiah Long takes it for the Zizzers and foul Cayden Moody for the Salem Tigers. Jared Kraft is able to make his sixth point on another jumper as Zizzers now lead by six. This is cut down to three as Clayton Robbins scores his third three pointer of the night. Rebound and a bucket by Dannon Berry and a foul which allows him to shoot one more and the Tiger lead goes back up to five. Gavin Sapaugh scores two more buckets as now Four players have two fouls for the Zizzers. Gaspch is able to round out scoring from the free throw line as the Zizzers continue on a streak of fouls. Last possession and score by Jared Kraft, he’s also able to shoot two. Kraft has twelve points just in the second quarter alone. Ball turned back over and a three by Braiden Gaspch to end the quarter.
HALFTIME- Salem Tigers: 35/ West Plains Zizzers: 27
3rd Quarter: Lincoln Thomas scores the first bucket in the second half. On a steal, Ethan Tuma knocks the ball out of range and scores for two more. As the quarter plays out; Zizzers who continue to beat on the door of bad foul trouble, begin to get a stop on the Tigers. Tigers originally led at eight and now are being cut down to four. Salem begins to pick up some offensive fouls and this allows the Zizzers to try to make a move. Aiden Judd scores his first basket of the game to cut the score to 40-37. Salem is now in a position much like the Zizzers were in the first half, they go cold and end the quarter leading by only two points now (41-39).
4th Quarter: A massive play by Salem by Pryor who almost loses the ball but puts it back up and in for one. To the Zizzers, Salem has turned over the ball about eleven times while Zizzers have only turned over by about four in the second half. A foul on Aiden Judd sends Ray Stevens to the line to shoot for the Salem Tigers. Rebound and Kraft has the ball for the ZIzzers and looks for a shot but stolen back and another bucket by Gaspch. Rebound Kraft who finally shoots and scores on his intended bucket. Pryor shoots another three and by this point, Zizzers are still looking to make a big play. And they do as Josiah Long shoots a long scoop shot. Rebound Salem who tries to continue running with it and fouls Josiah long. Gaspch shoots two more free throws. Zizzers begin to hope Salem can throw away some fouls as now the Zizzers lead by one, 49-48.Both teams take a few more trips down the floor plus an additional layup by Josiah Long. With 29 seconds left, a bad pass and stolen and a three pointer by Brayden Gaspch who has made twenty one points so far for Salem. A foul and Clayton Robbins shoots one free throw. Rebound Salem and a three pointer by Sapaugh sends Salem fans wild. The Game is Tied 54-54, going to overtime.
Overtime: Tip won by the Zizzers. Salem will continue to play a matchup zone defense. Layup good by Jacob Moore breaks the tie. Rebound Gaspch for Salem who passes to Pryor who fouls and goes to the line. Game is tied back up as Pryor shoots both of his free throws. Jared Kraft is able to foul for the Zizzers and shoot two, also able go back up by two. Ray Stevens for Salem looks for three points and is fouled. Jared Kraft shoots another one from the line, Rebound fought for and Jared Kraft is able to finish out the game at the free throw line. Salem nearly picks up a technical foul as Aiden Judd fouls out of the game and Gaspch shoots two more free throws. Zizzers are able to get Salem to cut down the lane on the rebound and Zizzers take back the ball. They must be able to prevent Salem from shooting either a three or fouling in the last minute. And finally, Zizzers win the game by a final score of 60-57.
Scoring:
Jared Kraft: 23
Clayton Robbins: 14
Josiah Long: 9
Ethan Tuma: 8
Jacob Moore: 4
Aiden Judd: 2
Zizzers will resume play this coming Tuesday, January 14th @ West Plains High School when they face the Poplar Bluff Mules. Game Time @ 7:30 with Broadcast on Hot Country, 102.5 KDY & Ozark Radio News Facebook & Live video streams.
