Class 2 No. 2, and defending state champion, Hartville traveled to face No. 1 Eugene in the sectional round of the state playoffs on Monday night and the game lived up to the hype with Eugene beating Hartville 58-49 in overtime.
The two teams locked in a back-and-forth, physical battle with the game being played within one possession for much of the contest.
Eugene held a 12-10 lead after one quarter and 21-20 lead at half. Hartville was able to tie the game at 33 heading into the fourth quarter. In the final frame, Hartville got the ball with the game tied and a chance to win with six seconds left. Eugene still had two fouls to give and used them to run the clock down. Hartville could not get a shot to fall at the buzzer.
In the overtime, Eugene got to the line often with 10 of its 16 points coming on free throws. Justice Allen scored seven of his 20 points for Eugene in the extra period. Ethan Wunderlich also scored 20 points for Eugene.
Hartville was paced by Mason Codill with 14 points and Payton Cogdill with 11 points.
Hartville finishes the season with a 22-6 record. The Eagles have graduate three seniors in Jackson Ward, Payton Cogdill and Harmon Johns.
Eugene advances to the Class 2 state quarterfinals and will host Blue Eye on Friday.
Hartville – 10-10-13-9-7 – 49
Eugene – 12-9-12-9-16 — 58
H: Mason Cogdill 14, Payton Cogdill 11, Boone Garrison 7, Gus Sinning 7, Harmon Johns 6, Jackson Ward 4
E: Ethan Wunderlich 20, Justice Allen 20, Isaac Busch 10, Ryder Belt 5, Dawson Busch 2, Austin Doerhoff 1
