Lustre Places Third At Eastern C

Lustre Christian’s boys’ basketball season came to a sudden ending when the Lions lost to Fairview, 39-38, in a challenge game at the Eastern C divisional tournament in Sidney on Saturday, March 5.

The Lions appeared heading for the state tournament when they struck for four straight points on baskets by Kolden Hoversland and Jasiah Hambira to take a 31-28 lead with 3:51 left in regulation.

Lustre kept that lead until Fairview’s Hunter Sharbono connected on a three-pointer for a 31-31 deadlock with 32 seconds left. The Lions held the ball for a last shot but were called for a violation with 2.1 seconds left. Sharbono’s long three-point attempt missed at the buzzer.

The Lions struck for the first six points of overtime on two free throws by Cayden Klatt and four free tosses by Elijah Lenihan. After Fairview’s Kanyon Taylor hit a three-pointer, Lustre went up 38-34 on another free throw by Lenihan with 42 seconds remaining.

Fairview closed the gap to 38-37 on three free throws by Taylor with 24 seconds left.

After Lustre lost possession, Fairview missed two shots but Taylor then scored off a rebound with six seconds remaining. The Lions missed a final long shot at the buzzer.

Lustre’s top scorers were Kolden Hoversland with 11, Lenihan with 10, Klatt with nine and Hambira with eight points.

Kolden Hoversland finished with 11 rebounds and

three assists. Leading Fairview were Taylor with 15 and Sharbono with 13 points.

Lustre trailed 11-10 at the end of the first quarter but held a 19-17 half-time advantage. The Lions led 25-23 after three quarters of play.