Raiders Defeat Lansing Sexton on Buzzer Beater Shot in Boys Basketball

Aryan Virk scored 23 points in Portland’s game at Lansing Sexton on Friday night, including 11 points in the 4th Quarter, but none was more important than the put-back shot he made as time expired. It gave the Raiders a 63-62 victory and redeemed an earlier season two-point loss at home against the Big Reds.

On Friday night, Sexton led at half-time 33-26, but Portland came back with 37 second-half points. Sexton eventually took their final lead, 62-61, with fourteen seconds left on the clock. Portland Coach Jason Goerge called a time-out in order to set up what he hoped would be a game winning shot. “We drew up a play that would get Aryan the ball in the top of the key. We were hoping he could get to the paint and if the defense stepped-up to defend, we would have two guys open that he could dish to for a lay-up”, Goerge told the Beacon. But Sexton read the play and forced Aryan to pass to Trent Myers for a three-point shot. Meyer’s shot just missed the mark and Owen Russell got the rebound. Russell shot but the ball bounced off to Virk who put the shot up as time expired. Final score Portland 63-Sexton 62.

“Our kids fought their tails off and deserved to finally win a close one. I’m so proud of our guys for not giving up when Sexton scored at the end.”, Goerge said.

Owen Russell contributed 21 points on the night and Trent Myers added 7, five of them in the 4th Quarter, to pace the Raiders who raised the record to 4-9 on the year. Grant Ruddy had 6 points for Portland and Zach Pier, Blake Myers and Gavin McGregor each chipped in two points. Emanuel Jones led Sexton with 16 points.

The Raiders return home for three games next week beginning with Hastings on Monday night. Fowler visits on Tuesday and Lansing Catholic visits on Friday night.

Pictured above is Aryan Virk and Owen Russell from the game with Eaton Rapids earlier this season.