HANNIBAL – River High’s memorable tournament history has produced some wild finishes over the years, but the Pilots latest at the R.L. Potts gymnasium, might be one for the books. Or at least a closer look at the book.

Coach Mark Romick’s third-seeded crew escaped over Conotton Valley, 49-47 in overtime, as a last gasp ‘3’ from the corner by the visitors bounced off the rim at the final horn to send the large home crowd to storm the floor.

How the Pilots reached OT can only be described as something never seen in a game as River swished a ‘trey’ at :04 to tie it at 43-all. Freshman Cam Abbott officially fouled out at the 16-second mark, but remained in the game as the visiting scorekeeper didn’t alert the officials.

River made use of the foul line in the extra panel as senior Aiden Milhoan put the hosts up for keeps 46-45 with a pair at 2:30, and junior Evan Longwell cashed three-of-four.

“(Conotton) did a good job on Crestyn (Isaly) in the first half, but we started to keep them off the glass in the second playing with a freshman and two sophomores most of the time,” said Romick, as his 14-9 club advances to Wednesday’s ‘rubber match’ in the District against rival Frontier at a site to be determined Sunday.

“We showed more patience in the third quarter and hit some big shots, including one from Evan (Longwell) at the third quarter buzzer that put us up 34-28.

Isaly had four ‘treys’ in a game high 15 point effort, while Longwell added 10. Guards Abbott and Kaden Hunt each had two big 3-pointers and six points each.

River led 13-11 at the quarter behind Peyton Weese’s five points, while a frigid shooting second quarter saw each club score four points and leave it 17-15 at intermission.

The Pilots’ range improved in the third as they hit five ‘3’s, but the Rockets, who bowed out at 10-13, were down 34-28 entering the final quarter.

Kaden Leggett led CV with 15, while R.J. Higgenbotham added 11. The Rockets hit 15 of 43 shots. River hit 16 of 41.