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Truckee basketball: Bolton’s 3-pointer at buzzer lifts boys past Spring Creek

Sylas Wright
Sierra Sun
Sylas Wright/Sierra SunTruckee junior post player Ben Bolton goes up for two of his game-high 22 points against Spring Creek on Saturday. Bolton hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Truckee a one-point win.
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TRUCKEE and#8212; Given a good look at his target, Ben Bolton usually hits it and#8212; whether he’s rifling a football at a streaking receiver, or squared up to the bucket with a basketball in hand.

On Saturday he found himself behind the 3-point line with a basketball in hand, his Wolverines trailing by two points in the waning seconds against Spring Creek.

The junior post player squared to the bucket, rose for a clear look at his target, and released a high-arcing shot.



All went quiet in the Truckee gym and#8230; until the moment the ball slashed through the net.

The home crowd erupted into a frenzy. Truckee had won, 74-73.



and#8220;The play wasn’t supposed to go to me. It was supposed to go to Matt (Mehan),and#8221; Bolton explained after the game. and#8220;But they covered him, I popped out and he got me the ball, and I made it.

and#8220;It felt pretty good. I didn’t know if it would go in, but it felt good coming out of my hand.and#8221;

The dramatic game-winner as time expired seemed an appropriate way to end the seesaw battle, in which both teams seized momentum on a number of occasions. The buzzer-beater also bailed out the Wolverines after they allowed the Spartans to erase a 10-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter.

and#8220;We made our shots today, which was huge,and#8221; said Bolton, who led the Wolverines with 22 points.

Fellow post player James DePew played a huge role in the win as well, as he aggressively drove into the lane time after time in the second half, taking it to Spring Creek’s big men while converting numerous layups.

In addition to his 20 points, DePew and#8212; as well as Bolton and#8212; boxed out for rebounds against the taller Spartan post players, and generally controlled the paint the majority of the second half.

The Wolverines also received a boost from senior guard Matt Mehan, who scored 16 points and hit a number of clutch shots late, including a 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining to give Truckee a one-point lead. And it was Mehan who unselfishly kicked the ball out to an open Bolton instead of forcing up a contested final shot.

David Morrell scored a team-high 19 points for the Spartans, while Truckee senior Tyler Ferris added seven points for the Wolverines.

In other home recent games, Truckee lost to Lowry, 75-61, on Friday, and lost to Sparks, 68-59, on Monday.

Truckee is now 3-5 in Northern 3A league play, with four games remaining.


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