ALEXANDRIA Easterns boys basketball team is the defending Sectional 39 champion. Alexandria looks like the favorite to take the hardware this year.

The Comets showed Tuesday they will be ready to battle for a sectional repeat when the tournament opens Feb. 28.

Alex outlasted Eastern 67-61 in two overtimes on the Tigers floor.

Eastern coach Mike Springer liked what he saw from his squad.

Like I told the kids, this is the team the fight, the energy, the determination that I really believe we have, Springer said. Going on the road, playing on [Alexs] senior night, it was a tough game, but our kids battled and they worked together. Im just super proud of each and every one of them.

Down 46-39 late in regulation, the Comets closed on a 9-2 run to force overtime. Sam Querry ignited the comeback with a 3-pointer at 2:21. After Alexs Miller Abernathy missed a pair of free throws at 1:24, Zach Robinson drilled a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game at 1:08.

Abernathy put the Tigers up three with a layup at :30, but the Tigers fouled Robinson on a 3-point attempt at :24. The Comet senior made all three free throws for a 48-all tie. The Tigers missed a shot in the lane in the closing seconds.

In the first overtime, Alex jumped to a 53-50 lead, but Eastern followed with seven straight points. Querry started the run with two free throws and then Robinson had a terrific stretch he took a steal, hit a 3-pointer and then drew a charge. Draeden Graber scored on a breakout for a 57-53 lead at 1:07.

The Comets (7-14) failed to hold the lead. Alexs Matthew Hensley hit two free throws at :58. After Eastern came up empty on a three-shot possession, Alexs Avery Paddock tied it with two free throws at :41. Following an Eastern turnover, Alex missed a shot in the closing seconds.

The Tigers (12-8) dominated the second overtime. Dane Hueston, a 6-foot-6 forward, drilled a pair of 3-pointers to make it 63-57. The Tigers followed with 3 of 4 free throws for a 66-57 lead at 1:21 and they went on for the six-point win.

Alexs nine-point lead in the second OT was the biggest lead by either team in the game.

The first half was tight. Eastern led 8-6 after the first quarter. Alexs Blake Morehead beat the halftime buzzer with a runner, giving the Tigers their first lead, 20-19.

Alex led 32-29 after the third quarter. Eastern committed 10 turnovers in the quarter but was able to stay within one possession.

Alex built a pair of seven-point leads in the fourth quarter, 44-37 at 3:42 and 46-39 at 2:52, before the Comets stormed back.

Robinson led Eastern with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Querry had 17 points and six rebounds. Graber had 16 points, four boards and three assists. The Comets had a 34-26 rebounding advantage.

We had really good effort, Springer said. Defensively, I felt we felt we did a really good job on the glass. We moved the ball well, got good shots on the offensive end.

It was a tough game. Im just proud of the way our kids battled. We were right there [Tuesday], we just came up short. Well go back [today] and see if we can get better.

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BOYS BB: Comets fall short in 2 OTs - Kokomo Tribune