Clinton beats Hilltoppers 53-52 in
final seconds
[November 29, 2025]
Mount Pulaski led the entire game versus the Clinton Maroons
on Friday night when Keaton Graver grabbed an offensive rebound that
ricocheted off the hands of two Hilltoppers in the final seconds.
Graver quickly tossed up a shot from the baseline that dropped
through the net with about seven seconds left, giving the Maroons a
53-52 lead. Mount Pulaski’s attempt for one last basket failed and
Clinton celebrated the come-from-behind win in the 15th Annual Bill
Rucks Varsity Boys Basketball Tournament.
Aaron Volle had a terrific game for the Hilltoppers, pouring in 26
points.
Franklin Wade added 12 points for Mount Pulaski.
The Hilltoppers started the game on a 6-0 run. After a three by Wade
the lead was 13-6. At the end of the first quarter Mount Pulaski was
on top 16-12.
The Hilltoppers continued playing excellent team basketball in the
second quarter and even managed a double-digit lead. Volle scored
eight points in the quarter, helping the team to a 29-18 lead at
half.
Every time the Maroons got close in the third quarter, it was Volle
to the rescue. He tossed in another six points to keep the
Hilltoppers in front. A shot at the buzzer by Dalton Bell allowed
Clinton to trim the lead to 37-30.
The Maroons were fired up in the fourth quarter after Graver hit a
three at the 5:57 mark. A quick timeout was called with the score
39-35 and it was announced that Graver had just scored his 1,000th
career point with that basket.
With Wade scoring on a coast-to-coast layup and Volle sinking
another three, Mount Pulaski’s lead was 44-37 with just under five
minutes left in the game. Volle would hit another three with 2:17
left and the gym exploded with Mount Pulaski on top 49-41. Graver
answered back with his own three that put the Clinton crowd in a
frenzy. After Cooper and Wade moved the ball up the court quickly to
Volle, he scored again and the Hilltoppers were looking to be in
good shape with a 51-44 lead.
Then things took a turn for the worse for Mount Pulaski.
Volle picked up his fourth foul with 1:21 left. Clinton was able to
cut the lead to 51-47 with the bucket and the ‘and one’ by Bell.
Austin Kretzinger earned a trip to the free throw line for Mount
Pulaski and he made one shot to keep Mount Pulaski on top 52-47 with
1:05 left to play.
[to top of second column] |
With 46.4 seconds left Bell made another trip to
the free throw line and sank both shots. Following a Mount Pulaski
turnover, Clinton struck again with 29.6 seconds left and it was a
one-point ballgame, 52-51 the score.
With 20.5 seconds left Mount Pulaski turned the ball over again and
Clinton was off and running. With Clinton scrambling for a shot
under the basket, Volle picked up his fifth foul, sending Keagan
Daughtrey to the line with 10.9 seconds left. Daughtrey would miss
both shots but as the ball bounced off the back of the rim and high
through the air, it was grabbed by Graver and he made a terrific
fadeaway jumper for the game-winner.
After a timeout Mount Pulaski had 2.8 seconds to
get off a good shot and unfortunately for the Hilltoppers they were
denied. Wade’s attempt for the game-winner fell short and the
Maroons celebrated a 53-52 victory.
Mount Pulaski falls to 2-1 on the season.
Results of Friday’s games:
Delavan 64
Litchfield 53
Edinburg 67
Auburn 55
Clinton 53
Mount Pulaski 52
Saturday’s schedule may be determined by the amount of snow
predicted.
ount Pulaski 52
Volle 26
Wade 12
Cooper 6
Kretzinger 6
Olson 2
Clinton 53
Bell 22
Graves 18
J. Reynolds 10
Wilson 3
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
