Last night the #2-ranked 1A Dll Hanover Wildcats beat the #10-ranked Axtell Eagles with a buzzer beater three to win 39-37.

The Hanover Wildcats started off strong with a 8-4 opening quarter, with Axtell not scoring their first bucket until over 6 minutes into the opening quarter. Both Hanover and Axtell scored 12 points in the second quarter. The first half ended with Hanover ahead 20-16.

The third quarter continued the defensive front from both sides with Hanover heading into the fourth up 30-24. The first lead change occurred in the fourth with Axtell going up 36-34 with a layup from Ava Broxterman, but unfortunately she hurt herself on the bucket and had to come out. The Wildcats would tie the game 36-36 coming down to the final stretch of the game. 

Hanover fouled Axtell’s Katelyn Detweiler at halfcourt on the double bonus and sent her up to the free throw line with less than 20 seconds to go. Detweiler missed her first but made her second to help Axtell go up 37-36. Hanover responded by getting the ball down the floor and getting it into the hands of Leigha Jueneman, who cashed the game winning three-pointer after not hitting a shot all night.

Hanover has now won 18 straight games against Axtell, dating back to 2016, and improves to 14-3 overall and 7-1 in the TVL. Axtell falls to 14-5 overall and 3-3 in the Twin Valley League.