Van Buren boys fall in overtime

DONNELLSON - The Van Buren County boys nearly pulled a big first-round upset at Central Lee on Tuesday night, but the Hawks escaped the Warriors in overtime, 71-64.

Van Buren played a solid first half. After trailing 11-9 at the first horn, the Warriors won the second quarter 17-9 to take a 26-20 lead into the locker rooms.

Central Lee put up a game-high 23 points in the third to cut the Warriors' lead to two, at 45-43, after three periods.

The scoring slowed down in the fourth quarter, but it remained tight throughout. The Warriors trailed by two points in the last 30 seconds, but Jackson Manning hit a shot to tie the game at 57-57, where it would stay until overtime.

Central Lee had more gas in the extra period. The Hawks outscored the Warriors 14-7 in overtime.

Manning led the Warriors with 24 points. Owen Loeffler scored 15, and Lane Davis had 11.

Van Buren ended the year at 0-14. Central Lee will play at West Burlington Thursday in the district semifinals.