Altamont hit some big shots down the stretch and held off North Clay to pick up a 75-65 win on Wednesday and earned a spot in the semifinals of the National Trail Conference Tournament. North Clay took an early 4-0 lead to start the game but an 8-2 run gave the Indians their first lead of the game, 8-6, and with Kade Milleville dropping 19 points in the quarter, Altamont held a 23-18 lead at the end of the first. With the Indians leading 27-20 in the second quarter, North Clay went on a 9-2 run to tie the game up at 29-29 late in the quarter. Altamont regained the lead 32-39 on a Zaine Miller basket and free throw but the Cardinals regained the lead 33-32 before a right wing three-pointer from Milleville in the closing seconds had Altamont up 35-33 at halftime. A pair of threes followed by an old fashioned three point play from Cooper McManaway had the Indians up 44-36 midway through the third quarter and they kept the lead, going up 51-42 by the end of the quarter. A 9-4 North Clay run cut the Altamont lead down to 55-51, but the momentum shifted the Indians way when North Clay’s coach got a technical foul and Milleville sank the ensuing free throws. With Altamont also getting the ball after the free throws, Jacob Johnson got a put back basket to have the Indians leading 59-51. North Clay closed things up once again, cutting the Indians lead to 62-58 but a 7-4 Altamont run with all seven points coming from Johnson had the Indians up 69-62 with about a minute and a half remaining in the game. With North Clay fouling to stop the clock and to try and get the ball back, Altamont was put at the line several times in the closing minute and the Indians went 6 of 6 at the line to hold off the Cardinals and close out the 75-65 win. Altamont is now 13-7 on the season and they have won their last five games in a row. The Indians advance to the first Championship semifinal game of the tournament where they will face top-seeded Cumberland tonight at 8:00pm.
Altamont Scoring:
Kade Milleville – 28 points
Cooper McManaway – 18 points
Jacob Johnson – 17 points
Nate Lurkins – 4 points
Cooper Pals – 3 points
Zaine Miller – 3 points
Parker Bell – 2 points
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