The St. Augustine Kings had the game of a lifetime last week.
Playing away in Rocky Mountain House against the Huskies Feb. 16, the Kings went into double overtime hoping to gain a foothold on playoffs. Coach Adam Bowie said the Kings needed a win to ensure a better chance at playoffs due to close standings in the league.
The game was in the thick of things with neither team willing to give up a lead and both putting down serious points in an effort to outplay the other. By the end of regular time the score was tied 89. “For 50 minutes of the game it was just back and forth,” said Bowie.
He said there was no more than a six point gap on either side despite more turnovers than expected. “The other team needed a win just as much we did.”
The first quarter took some adjusting with the Kings facing an excited fan-base but they realized they could play.
“The second quarter we started getting into our pace and setting the tone a little bit,” said Bowie.
The Kings held the Huskies from any fast breaks and tried to get themselves important second chances. In the second half both teams found a flow and went back and forth against each other.
By the first overtime Bowie said they kept the strategy that worked for them at the start of the game. At this point with so many minutes into the game players started to foul out, on both sides of the court. In the second overtime the Kings seemed to have found an edge and the game looked to be clinched.
Bowie said the Kings were up by six points, a healthy points gap. The team slowed its offence, hoping to conclude the game, but that is what hurt them overall. The Huskies started to put points on the board eventually taking the lead 103-101.
It all came down to the last five seconds. A three-point shot attempt bounced on the rim and ended the game with the Kings losing a close challenge.
“There’s so many thoughts going through your head,” said Bowie of the loss.
Despite that, he reminded his players of the quality of play and gym atmosphere during the game, stating that kind of energy is tough to find and difficult to teach; it must be experienced. He praised the Kings for a strong showing.
The fate of the team’s playoffs chances depends on how others play in the rest of the league. Bowie says the Kings have three games left in the season with all three expected to be tough performances.