Kenesaw's Dalton Bender puts up a shot against Shelton's
Clayton Stoppkotte in the Twin Valley Conference
championship Saturday night in Hastings.
It was a moment many athletes either want, or want to avoid: Having to put the team on their shoulders.
Trailing to Shelton 38-37 with 4.2 seconds left, the Class D-1 No. 4 Kenesaw boys basketball team had one try to win a game that was tight from the start.
The Bulldogs gave Blue Devil senior Dalton Bender that chance, when he was fouled with 2.6 seconds left.
Bender hit both, helping his team capture a thrilling 39-38 win in the Twin Valley Conference championship Saturday at Adams Central.
But for the 6-foot-1 post player, winning a game in the clutch for his team meant more than the title. Coming through at the line was his way of stepping up for six other seniors on the team who have contributed for four years.
“It was just awesome. It was indescribable,” Bender said.
To read more, see Monday's Hastings Tribune or the Tribune e-edition.>>>
