VANDALIA, Mo. — Van-Far’s Kaleb Baskett drained a three-pointer with just 10 seconds remaining in the Indians’ Courtwarming clash with Bowling Green to edge the Bobcats by one point in a 56-55 victory on Friday.

The battle lived up to the expectations inherit any time the EMO Conference rivals take the floor in front of a packed house. After leading by as much as 14 points, the Bobcats clawed their way back through the second half for a powerful show in the final minutes.

“You don’t expect anything else when these two teams get together,” noted Coach Pat Connaway. “Two pretty good ball clubs who know each other well and battle – just fortunate to come out on top.”

Van-Far came out swinging in the first quarter, leading by as many as 14 in the period. Gaven Gaston hit a three and a layup before Pacey Reading dominated the back half of the quarter. He racked up 11 points including a set of long threes, the last one at the buzzer to put the Indians up 22-8 in dramatic fashion to start the second quarter.

The Bobcats went to work closing the gap in the second, beginning with a 7-0 run. Bowling Green had five players tally points with three-pointers from Jack McDannold and Cameron Vodohosky and a pair of buckets and free throws from Ryan Hall. The Bobcats defense held Van-Far to just two baskets in the second, with Pacey Reading only scoring a pair of free throws for the Indians. Bowling Green outscored Van-Far by six, 16-10, in the second. The Indians took a 32-24 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Bowling Green made up more ground in the third. The Indians were held to a pair of buckets by Baskett and four free throws from the Readings, Pacey and Bryce. Brendan Scherder and Hall combined for 13 points to draw the Bobcats to within three points, 40-37, to start the final frame of regulation.

With just over five minutes remaining, Scherder brought the Bobcats to within two. Pacey Reading hit a three-point play on a foul by Vodohosky to stretch the lead for the Indians for the last time, 48-43. Oliver Niemyer, playing with four fouls in the fourth, hit and drew a foul from Pacey Reading. Niemeyer missed the free throw, but snagged the rebound and passed to Hall who knocked down the three at the halfway mark to tie the game at 48.

Niemeyer collected another big rebound on a three-point attempt by Bryce Reading and the Bobcats marched up the floor and found Scherder inside to claim their first lead of the game since the opening basket at 3:31, 50-48.

Gaston tied the game at 50 with a layup as both teams found another gear and the tension in the gym ratcheted to a frenzy with three minutes to go. Zander Fairchild put Bowling Green up with a steal and a basket. Bryce Reading hit a three on the next play and the Indians took that one point lead into the final minute, 53-52.

Scherder hit a jumper and sank the free throw from the fifth foul on Evan Utterback to take a 55-53 lead with 31 seconds left.

With defense all over the Reading brothers, Baskett sank a three from the corner at 10 seconds.

Hall’s three-point shot rattled into the rim and back out. Niemeyer grabbed the rebound and the put-back was good, but just after the buzzer…and the Indians’ student section rushed out on the floor to congratulate their team on the 56-55 Courtwarming win.

Connaway pointed out the success of the football team had a somewhat grinding effect as Van-Far started the basketball season. He added the focus has been on putting together four solid quarters over just good starts in games.

“They’re starting to get back to having some fun. They’re feeding off each other,” he said. “We’re still playing a really good first half, but the good thing tonight is they didn’t panic. We had some bonehead turnovers, but they forced us into that with their physicality and athletic ability. They took the lead and then Kaleb (Baskett) hits just a huge shot and did it with confidence. And we were fortunate because when (Ryan) Hall let go of that shot – I thought it was in.”

He noted that if things go right in the Bowling Green Tournament, the teams could meet up again in the semifinal round.

“We’ll need to play a lot better than what we did tonight if we want to hang with them.”

VFHS: 22-10-8-16 – 56

BGHS: 8-16-13-18 – 55

Van-Far was 12-18 from the charity stripe and Bowling Green was 6-14.

Hall led the Bobcats with 22; Scherder, 18; Niemeyer, 4; Vodohosky, 3; McDannold, 3; Nolan Jones, 2; Fairchild, 2; Dallas Henderson, 1.

Four Indians ended in double-digits. Pacey Reading with a double-double, 21 points and 10 rebounds; Bryce Reading, 12; Gaston, 11; Baskett, 10; Utterback, 2.

The teams will be in the Bowling Green Tournament beginning January 25. The Bobcats are the top seed and the Indians are seeded fourth. Van-Far is in the Palmyra Tournament this week as the Bobcats will travel to Montgomery County on Tuesday (a game that will be featured on Eagle 102 Sports) and Veritas Christian Academy on Friday.

The girls teams squared off to begin Courtwarming night at Van-Far with the Lady Indians securing the win, 41-21.

VFHS: 11-10-7-13 – 41

BGHS: 2-4-5-12 – 21

Chloe Zumwalt led the Lady Indians off the bench with 17 points; Mylee Keller, 11; Elliott Utterback, 7; Carly Hunn, 3; Kenya Jones, 2; Trinity Swirtz, 1.

Elsie Barton and Nora Trower each had 8 points for the Lady Cats; Quinn Millinder, 4; Avery Schumacher, 2.

The Lady Indians were 4-13 from the free throw line and Bowling Green was 8-19.

Evan Utterback and Trinity Skwirtz were crowned Courtwarming royalty between games on Friday.