CLARKSVILLE — In a game where each possession was a battle, Brownstown won the war.

The Braves’ Ryan Shoemaker’s 3-pointer as the overtime buzzer sounded found nothing but net, lifting Brownstown to the title of the Class 2A Providence sectional over the host Pioneers, 43-40.

Shoemaker, whose game-winner was his only field goal attempt of the second half, wasn’t the likeliest candidate to take the final shot, Brownstown coach David Benter admitted afterward. But Benter grinned ear-to-ear when discussing the buzzer-beater - and the championship - after the game.

“We’ve been so up and down — us taking a shot like that is typical of our season,” Benter said. “Ryan really struggled last Friday (in a regular-season closing loss to Orleans) and came into sectional a little down. It was nice to see him get some redemption tonight.”

The Pioneers (18-5) were snakebit at the free-throw line, making 3-of -6 during the fourth quarter while the Braves converted 10-of-10. Providence coach Lou Lefevre was quick to admit that stat made all the difference in the final outcome.

“We didn’t make them, and they made every one of them, at least that’s how it seemed,” Providence coach Lou Lefevre said. “This is as tough as it gets. I just left a locker room where there are kids in there who care about winning and being good as much as any team I’ve ever coached. I’ve had better teams, and more talented teams, but I’ve really grown to like this team in the past month. I feel badly for them.”

Providence jumped out to an early 8-0 lead behind a Nick Koetter lay-up and three-pointers by Bryce Very and David Schellenberger during the opening three minutes.

The Braves had an uphill battle fighting back during the rest of the first half, but two free-throws by Taylor Wischmeier gave Brownstown an 18-17 lead heading into halftime.

Providence spent the third quarter building a seven-point lead, 30-23, after Tucker Coots nailed a three-pointer with :09 remaining. But Brownstown’s Spencer Allman answered with a trey of his own with a few seconds remaining on the third-quarter clock, and the Braves trailed 30-26 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Pioneers led virtually the entire fourth quarter, but Brownstown was led down the stretch by 6-foot-6 center Blaze Ayers, who scored 10 of his game-high 21 points over the final eight minutes.

Ayers twice brought Brownstown to within one during the final three minutes by sinking 6-of-6 free-throw attempts. Schellenberger and Nick Koetter were only able to convert 2-of-4 from the line during that same time span, and Wischmeier’s two successful attempts with 20 seconds left tied the score at 38.

Brownstown guard Michael Leitzman attempted a game-winning three-pointer at the end of regulation, but the shot was off the mark.

“I was happy that they learned from their mistakes on Wednesday (in a close loss to Pekin Eastern) and came out and really played hard over the last two nights,” Lefevre stated. “But we’re talking about a game in which really small things matter. Making free throws is one of them, and we also made some really careless fouls.”

Neither team scored in overtime until the 1:28 mark, when Ayers made two more free throws. On Providence’s next possession, Schellenberger was fouled and also had a successful trip to the line, making both shots. Both teams missed shots on ensuing possessions, setting up Shoemaker’s shot from the right wing.

Benter said although the Braves didn’t play Providence this season, he was well aware of their reputation going in. Brownstown spent one day of practice last week specifically targeting the Pioneers as a potential opponent, and the preparation paid off.

"They are so well-coached and so disciplined,” he said. “They do so many things well that it makes it very hard to prepare for them. They’re a great team.”

The loss marked the end of the careers for five Providence seniors, Koetter, Schellenberger, Coots, Jake Koetter and Alan Brown. Schellenberger led Providence with 12 points, which included 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.

Lefevre said he was disappointed by the loss for those seniors - and for the rest of his squad.

“When you win a game like this, it’s the best feeling in the world, but when you lose one like this, it feels like death,” he said. “I hate it for them, but there’s nothing I can do for them right now, and that’s the risk you take when you become an athlete.”



CLASS 2A PROVIDENCE SECTIONAL

Final

PROVIDENCE 11 6 13 8 2—40

BROWNSTOWN 7 11 8 12 5—43

Providence (18-5) — Schellenberger 12, Very 8, Coots 7, N. Koetter 6, Griffith 5, Brown 2, J. Koetter 0, A. Schmidt 0, Wethington 0.

Brownstown (17-6) — Ayers 21, Wischmeier 9, Allman 7, Hinton 3, Shoemaker 3, Leitzman 0, Turmail 0, Robison 0.

Three-point goals: Providence 6 (Schellenberger 3, Very 2, Coots); Brownstown 3 (Allman 2, Shoemaker)

Rebounds: Providence 19 (N. Koetter 5); Brownstown 19 (Ayers, Wischemier 5)

Turnovers: Providence 13, Brownstown 14.