Pitman boys’ basketball is still chasing history, but standing in their way was Golden Valley High, who came into the Pride’s gym on Thursday night for a down to the wire game that ultimately led to victory for the visitors.
Despite an outstanding performance from Pitman’s Christian Williams and Dom Von Waaden that saw both combine for 50 points, the Pride failed to hold on late in double overtime, losing 64-63.
“No one expects a double overtime, but I did expect for Golden Valley to come out and play and play hard and give us a challenge,” said Pitman head coach Harvey Marable. “Our guys did that and stood up to the challenge and it didn’t go our way.”
It did start their way, however. Both had an overall record of 16-6 heading into the game.
Pitman went up after the first quarter, taking an 18-13 lead. That lead was cut to 30-27 by halftime, and that didn’t last long. GV made the first bucket of the second half just 30 seconds in and tied the game at 30-30.
From there, the game became a battle of mental toughness as they exchanged baskets till the double overtime finale.
In the third quarter alone, there were four separate times when both sides tied. By the end of the third the score was 43-43.
GV nearly snuck away with the win late in the fourth, but a basket from Von Waaden with 1.3 seconds left tied the game at 52-52, forcing overtime in the process.
The first overtime saw each side score three points apiece, tying the game at 55-55 .
This led to a double overtime that extended the game even further in a close battle, but in the end a pair of free-throw’s and a last second shot from Von Waaden failed to fall and the Pride lost 64-63.
“Like I said before we control our own destiny,” said Marable. “It didn’t come through, but I will say this… the guys fought hard all the way through and did the best they possibly could and if you do that, just where the chips fall, you deal with it and move on.”
Pitman has lost three of its last four.
Von Waaden finished with a game-high 31 points. Williams added 19.
The Pride fall to fourth place in the CCC with a 4-4 record and go to 16-7 overall. The GV Cougars are now in second place in the CCC at 6-2 and 17-6 overall.
“It’s a winning team, so bottom line is to get better each night we come out here and leave our best on the court,” Marable added.
The next game for Pitman will be at home against Buhach Colony at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 2.
