Prep Boys Basketball: Section 5A Playoffs: Upsala rallies to stun Sebeka, 69-67

Maybe it was karma coming back to bite Sebeka in the tushy.

A week after the third-seeded Lady Trojans basketball team knocked off fifth-ranked and top-seeded Upsala in the girls subsection championship game, the Cardinals turned the tables on the Sebeka boys basketball team.

Jacob Voss hit a pair of free throws with two seconds left to help second-seeded Upsala rally from an 24-point deficit to stun the second-ranked and top-seeded Sebeka 69-67 in the West Subsection 5A championship game Tuesday night in Long Prairie.

“We just had too many things we couldn’t control go against us,” Sebeka coach Jon Lillquist explained. “We didn’t have our best shooting game, but we shot well enough to win.”

Sebeka couldn’t miss in the first half, going 15-for-26 (58 percent) overall from the floor and converted 72 percent (13-for-18) of their free-throws to build a 24-point (39-15) lead. The Cardinals would trim that deficit down to 15 points at the break, 46-31.

Upsala would find their groove in the second half to pull out the upset by hitting 41 percent (12-for-29) of their shots. Sebeka, on the other hand, had trouble finding the basket, going 7-for-25 (28 percent) and had trouble stopping the Cardinals defensively.

“We were trying hard to take charges, but we just couldn’t get them and that makes playing defense tough when you can’t stop a drive.” Lillquist stated. “When we did get stops, we just didn’t rebound well enough and that’s where the game was lost.”

Upsala ended up outrebounding the Trojans 40-32.

With the Trojans struggling to maintain the eight-point lead with six minutes left, the Cardinals fed the ball to Voss, who was having the apparent hot hand as the clock wound down. The senior forward tied the game twice with a three-pointer and a pair of free-throws, the last knotting the game at 67-67 to set the stage for his last second heroics.

Voss would finish with a game-high 24 points for the Cardinals (24-3), who advanced to the Section 5A championship game against McGregor at 7 p.m. Friday in Crosby-Ironton.

“We made some mistakes down the stretch and that cost us, but in the last minute there were too many things we couldn’t do anything about.” Lillquist added.

The Trojans had three players register double digits in the loss. John Clark capped his high school career with another double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Ryan Sharp netted 17 points, eight boards and four assists while Cody Pulju added 16 for the Trojans, who finished at 26-3.

Upsala countered with four players in double digits. Besides Voss, the Cardinals also got 15 points from Christian Pekarek and 10 points apiece from Brandon Welinksi and Ethan Schultz.

Lillquist wrapped up the Trojans’ outstanding season with praise for his six seniors.

“These guys have been such a tremendous group to work with. Even with the heartbreaking end to the season I wouldn't trade this season and team for anything.” He said. “They've given the coaches and fans tons of enjoyment and I want to thank them for everything they've done for our school, community and basketball program. They will certainly be missed!”

Section 5A Playoffs
No. 1 Sebeka vs. No. 2 Upsala on March 15 (in Long Prairie)
Upsala 31 38—69
Sebeka 46 21—67
Upsala
Ethan Schultz 10, Jacob Voss 24, Christian Pekarek 15, Brandon Welinksi 10
Sebeka
Jason Sharp 2, John Clark 20, Cody Pulju 16, Paul Funk 8, Ryan Sharp 17, Reid Redetzke 4