Buffs rally for double overtime win

The Greybull Buffs would not be denied in their quest for a win at the Big Horn Basin Hoops Classic.

After a 62-20 thumping at the hands of 3A Thermopolis, and with severe winter weather casting doubt on the status of Saturday’s games, the Buffs and the Burlington Huskies pushed each other to the limit Friday night before Greybull emerged with a 57-53 double overtime win.

The split left the Buffs with a 3-9 record heading into this weekend’s conference opener.

Coach Logan Burningham had hoped his team’s recent win over St. Stephens would serve as a springboard— but it was not to be against Thermopolis.  The Bobcats, the No. 5-ranked team in 3A, turned in a dominant performance, routing the Buffs 62-20.

The Buffs shot 19 percent from the field and were held to single-digit scoring in all four quarters.

“We came out flat, and if you come out flat against one of the best teams in 3A, one that’s 12 deep and able to rotate freely and keep people fresh, you’re going to struggle,” said Burningham. 

The Buffs didn’t start well against the Huskies either and trailed 17-12 after one. They kept at it, though, outscoring the Huskies 9-7 in the second and 11-7 in the third, when they surged in front for the first time. But Burlington rallied in the fourth and led by three with less than 10 seconds to play. 

Burningham called timeout to set up a play, and after a clean inbound and a couple of passes, the ball ended up in the hands of Rodriguez, who launched a baseline 3-pointer that hit nothing but net, forcing overtime.

A similar situation played out at the end of the first extra frame.  While they needed only two to tie, the Buffs again got it to Rodriguez, who converted.

So to the second overtime the teams went.  In it, the Buffs got some defensive stops and used a basket by Yandel Hernandez to surge in front and clutch free throws by Coby Henderson and Rodriguez to preserve the win.

“There were five or six times in that game where I thought for sure, we had it won, and there were five or six times where I thought for sure we were toast,” said Burningham. “I was so impressed with how well our kids executed — like on the 3 by Carlos that sent it into overtime, the execution was absolutely perfect.

“When the ball left Carlos’ hand, I knew that baby was in.”

Rodriguez finished with a double-double, totaling 31 points and 11 boards, both team highs.

Henderson, still working his way up to speed following illness, chipped in another seven.

“What a great way for us to finish the tournament,” said Burningham. “Looking back on it, that was one of those games we really had to have.  If we hadn’t won, we’d probably have a pretty bad vibe going into conference play.”

Conference play

While the Buffs’ current record of 3-9 is less than stellar, it’s still better, percentagewise, than the marks of their Class 2A Northwest Conference opponents.  Heading into this week, Rocky was 3-10, Wind River 2-9 and Shoshoni 2-10.

The Buffs host the Grizzlies on Friday night, with JV at 4 p.m. and varsity in its usual slot at 7 p.m.

“They’re struggling a little bit too, but we all know when it comes to a rivalry game anything can happen,” said Burningham. “It’s going to come down to which team works the hardest and makes the most hustle plays.  If you get outworked, you get beat, no matter what.

“Rebounding will continue to be something we stress.  A couple of kids are starting to give more effort in that area and that’s what it takes because rebounding is a mentality.”

Saturday’s game against Wind River is in Pavillion. Burningham said the key is going to stopping Wind River’s top two players — one is a guard, the other a post player. 

Thermop 13 13 24 12 — 62

Greybull   4   7   5   4 — 20

GREYBULL — Caden Hunt 0-4 0-0 0, Juan Acuna 1-4 0-0 2, Coby Henderson 2-7 0-0 5, Larry Longshore 1-2 1-2 3, Isaac Vigil 0-7 0-0 0, Yandel Hernandez 1-9 0-2 2, Carlos Rodriguez 3-9 2-4 8.  Totals 8-of-42 3-of-8 20.

3-POINT GOALS — Henderson.  REBOUNDS — Greybull 24 (Rodriguez 7).  STEALS — Greybull 9 (Rodriguez 5).  ASSISTS — Greybull 3 (Hernandez 2).  TURNOVERS — Greybull 26.

Burlington 17 7   7 12 10 — 53

Greybull 12 9 11 11 14 — 57

GREYBULL — Hunt 4-10 0-2 8, Acuna 1-3 1-2 3, Henderson 1-8 4-6 7, Vigil 0-10 4-4 4, Hernandez 2-3 0-1 4, Rodriguez 11-25 8-10 31.  Totals 19-of-59 17-of-25 57.

3-POINT GOALS — Henderson, Rodriguez.  REBOUNDS — Greybull 30 (Rodriguez 11).  STEALS — Greybull 22 (Hunt 7).  ASSISTS — Greybull 12 (Acuna 4).  TURNOVERS — Greybull 21.