The Hanson boys basketball team took another Class B power to the wire Thursday night at the Corn Palace.
And in response, No. 5-ranked Corsica-Stickney had the final answer.
Caysen Eide’s 3-pointer with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left put the Jaguars ahead for good late and Corsica-Stickney staved off the Beavers 51-49 in non-conference action.
Hanson led 43-40 with 4 minutes to go, only to see Corsica-Stickney (17-2) respond with a 7-0 run in the following 2 minutes.
“The one great thing about this group this year is that we’ve had a different guy step up each night when we’ve needed it,” Jaguars coach Mike Tuschen said. “Caysen Eide did that for us tonight. He hit two big threes for us in the corner and we needed it.”
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The two triples were Eide’s only points of the game. Cordel Menning scored 13 points, while Bryce Plamp had 10 points and Gavin Zomer added eight for the the Jaguars.
Leading 50-47 with 11 seconds left, Corsica-Stickney forced Hanson’s Blake Klinkhammer to the free-throw line. Klinkhammer calmly knocked down two free throws to trim the lead to one point. Hanson fouled Menning on the ensuing inbounds play and Menning split a pair of free throws, allowing the Beavers one final chance to win or force overtime.
After advancing the ball and calling timeout, Corsica-Stickney snuffed out a corner 3-point attempt for Reggie Slaba. That forced a long 3-pointer from Nathan Stewart that missed, and Corsica-Stickney held on for its fourth straight win and 14th victory in the last 15 games.
“It always seems like we play Hanson close, and these games are always coming down to a play or two,” Tuschen said.
Unfortunately for the Beavers, it was another close call with a top team in the state. Hanson lost 47-46 to Canistota on Jan. 18 and led No. 1-ranked Bridgewater-Emery late on Jan. 26 before a 53-46 loss.
“I just wish for (the kids) that we could close one of these games out,” Hanson coach Josh Oltmanns said. “But we’re going to have to find a way to win in the playoffs.”
Slaba had 12 points for Hanson, while Donnie Weber and Payden Haiar each had eight points.
Corsica-Stickney visits Parkston on Monday to finish the regular season. Hanson closes its schedule at Scotland on Saturday.
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C-S 13 25 35 51
H 8 22 35 49
