The Macomb High boys basketball teams were aiming to be Ghostbusters Saturday evening.
Instead, Illinois Valley Central haunted the visiting Bombers as the Grey Ghosts recorded a pair of wins.
The varsity contest saw IVC notch a 55-50 overtime non-conference victory.
IVC improved to 14-12, while Macomb slipped to 18-8.
“It was a good, competitive game for both teams. A game that came right down to the end,” said MHS coach Jeremy Anderson.
The two teams were knotted at 13-13 following the opening period.
MHS outscored IVC 14-12 in the second quarter in taking a 27-25 halftime lead.
The Grey Ghosts rallied in the third frame, outscoring the Bombers 12-8 to grab a 37-35 lead heading into the final eight minutes of regulation.
Kellen Martin and Carter Havens combined for nine of Macomb’s 11 points in the fourth stanza.
The Bombers had a chance to win the game late, but were unable to convert and the contest went into overtime knotted at 46-46.
In the extra session, Martin and Nick Elbe scored baskets for the Bombers, but IVC scored nine points, including 3-of-8 from the free throw line.
“We took the lead in overtime, but then had a hard time rebounding and guarding without fouling,” said Anderson.
Watson topped Macomb with 17 points. Havens was next with 12 points, followed by Nolan Hoge with eight points and Martin with seven points.
Elbe scored five points and Cooper Hobson chipped in a free throw for the Bombers.
“We had some guys really step up and make plays against a very big and athletic team,” said Anderson.
Grady Read topped IVC with 19 points, 14 in the opening half.
Brady Ward added 12 points, all in the second half and overtime, while Ethan Dickinson chipped in 11, nine in the opening half.
IVC won the contest despite shooting just 4-of-17 from the free throw line.
MHS finished 10-of-15 from the free throw line.
The JV contest saw IVC build an early lead and maintain control throughout on the way to a 48-37 victory.
The Grey Ghosts eased out to a 16-6 lead after the opening quarter as four different players scored for the hosts.
The Bombers picked up the score pace in the second period.
Luke Chapla scored eight of Macomb’s 13 points as MHS cut its deficit to 26-19 at halftime.
But IVC used eight points from Aidan Wenzelspratt as the Grey Ghosts outscored the Bombers 16-10 in building a 42-29 advantage heading into the final minutes.
Chapla finished with a team-leading 16 points for Macomb.
Corey Robinson added six points, while Cameron Keene, Carter Van Vleet and Levi Helling all chipped in five points apiece for the Bombers.
Wenzelspratt topped IVC with 16 points, while Brayden Pheiffer added 12 for the Gray Ghosts.
