Double Overtime Thriller In Annapolis, C3#6 Steelville Defeats C1#1 South Iron 85-80 On J98

Logos Courtesy of the Schools

(Annapolis) Perhaps the best game in the state of Missouri Tuesday night went down in Annapolis. The Class 3, #6 Steelville Cardinals took down the Class 1, #1 South Iron Panthers in double overtime, 85-80, and J98 was there to capture the magic.

Steelville led 18-16 after a back-and-forth first quarter…

Then things got crazy in the second quarter with both teams trading buckets…

South Iron went into halftime on top 38-36. However, Steelville ended up with the largest lead of the game by either team when the Cardinals led 55-48 at the end of the third quarter…

South Iron opened up the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to tie it up…

After another tie at 57, Gabe Ruble gave South Iron their first lead since the halftime break…

South Iron’s leading scorer, Martez Burse, fouled out with under 30 seconds remaining. He finished with 15 points. With 11 seconds to go and Steelville down by one, Landon Mabe was fouled and hit both free throws. Here’s what happened next…

Burse missed the first and made the second to tie the game at 67. Steelville’s Conner Diaz attempted a half court heave at the buzzer that fell short.
Steelville led for most of the first overtime period. The Cardinals made 5-of-6 free throws during that time. Though South Iron never gave up…

Diaz went to the line and made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the game at 74. Steelville had the ball back with 15 seconds left…

Diaz attempted another long shot at the buzzer that fell short.

Steelville went up 82-76 midway through the second overtime period but the Panthers cut the deficit to two…

Steelville’s Johnny Brice scored 7 of his 13 points in the second overtime to help the Cardinals to their 21st win of the season. South Iron coach Dusty Dinkins tried to remember if he had ever coached in a game like that…

Landon Mabe led Steelville with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Carson Mullen scored 20 points and 9 rebounds and Conner Diaz added 13 with 6 assists and 5 steals. Steelville are now 21-3.

Six players from South Iron scored in double figures. Marquis Burse had 15 points, Gabe Ruble had 14 and Sawyer Huff had 13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocked shots. Will Malone had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. The Panthers are now 21-4.

Full interview with Dusty Dinkins: