Late 7-0 run seals Keller boys' win over Richland

By Shawn Smajstrla

Special to the Star-Telegram

In a game that featured two of the biggest names in District 4-5A, it was sophomore reserve Brock Anders who came through with the biggest play of the night as Keller knocked off Richland 47-44 in a battle of district leaders.

With Keller trailing 44-42 with under a minute remaining, Anders was fouled as he made a breakaway layup, and banked in the free throw to give the Indians (12-7, 4-0 4-5A) a 45-44 lead.

Austyn Kennedy, the district's third-leading scorer, made two free throws with 4.2 seconds left to seal the victory. The Indians ended the game on a 7-0 run.

"There wasn't really any room for error," Keller coach Randall Durant said. "We both kind of knew what each other was going to do, and kids just made plays."

The most notable play was Anders' layup and clutch free throw.

"On the free-throw line, I was thinking, 'Oh, I have got to make this, this is big.' Anders said. "Right when I released it, I knew it was far, and it just banked in. It was just luck, I guess."

Neither team led by more than six points and there were five lead changes in the third period before Richland (15-8, 4-1) appeared to take control in the fourth quarter.

But Keller refused to go away.

"We did the thing you can't do in any sport, and that's turn the ball over," Richland coach Richard Bacon said. "That's what got us at the end. We turned the ball over too many times down the stretch with a five-point lead."

Rebels standout and 4-5A leading scorer Leyton Hammonds led Richland with 19 points.

Mike Opolski and Blake Stewart each had 11 points for the Indians, who took the lead in the District 4-5A standings with the win.

"Our kids have really believed that they can win this year," Durant said. "And that's worth more than anything; more than how well you shoot the ball or what kind of talent or anything else. It's believing in yourself and playing together."

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