IMS boys basketball team one step closer to State

IMS came from behind in a dramatic fourth quarter finish to defeat Cedar Valley Christian 49-47 at Lone Tree in the opening round of Class 1A District Tournament action Thursday, Feb. 16.

IMS trailed 42-38 with just over five minutes remaining when Mitchell Schmieder scored on a free-throw line jumper.

Moments later Reggie Borntrager got the steal and the lay-in to tie it at 42. Following a stop, Schmieder scored on a putback to give IMS it's first lead of the quarter at 44-42, and then followed with another jumper to make it 46-42.

Cole Ours then made 1-2 from the line to give IMS a 47-42 lead, culminating in a 9-0 IMS run.

Following a pair of free throws by the Huskies, Trevor Leyden connected on 1-2 to give IMS the lead at 49-44.

A Cedar Valley 3 with four seconds left allowed time to run out as Cedar Valley had no time-outs remaining.

IMS got off to a rough start and trailed 8-0 early. Already without starting guard Caleb Gingerich due to illness, all-conference guard Nick Yutzy pulled a hamstring three minutes in and did not return.

IMS was able to close within 10-9 to close the quarter. The Huskies quickly pulled ahead again and led 21-13 three minutes into the second quarter. Once again IMS rallied and it was Schmieder with the buzzer beater to give IMS the lead at 21-20 to close the half.

IMS scored first in the third period to lead 24-21 and two minutes later the score was tied at 26.

The Huskies drained a 3 to lead 29-26 before IMS would regain the lead at 33-31, with two minutes to play in the third.

Cedar Valley kept it coming and led 37-35 at the end of the period, setting up the fourth quarter drama.

Schmieder came through with 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks to lead IMS on the night.

Cole Yoder finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Ours scored eight points, Borntrager had seven points, and Leyden tallied five.

Ours had eight assists, Borntrager had five steals to go with seven rebounds. and Leyden had four assists and three steals.

Coach Dwight Gingerich said, ?we are very fortunate to move on, and I am very proud of the effort our guys came with late, when it certainly didn't look good.

?We live to play again, and that's what it's about at this point. I thought each of our guys did some critically important things to contribute, and it all came together down the stretch, as our guys really stepped up the effort and stayed together after a tough night.?

The win raises the IMS mark to 16-6 on the season and will host Springville in the district semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m.