Johnson hits a 3 in final seconds, lifts Pentwater to district title over Baldwin

 

CUSTER – It was a scene right out of the movie “Hoosiers.”

 

The final, climatic scene.

 

With just seconds remaining in the MHSAA Division 4 district final at Mason County Eastern Friday night, Baldwin had just scored with an inside move to draw even with Pentwater, 52-52.

 

Pentwater coach Ashley Lubera called time to set up a final play, and with the clock wound down to 1.1 seconds, Trey Johnson, playing the role of Hickory’s star player Jimmy Chitwood, buried a 3-point shot that snapped the net for a thrilling 55-52 win and the district title.

 

Pentwater has won 10 straight.

 

“(Baldwin) played us to the bitter end,” Lubera said. “This is how a championship game should be played. This rivalry (in the West Michigan D League) is respected. I respect Baldwin with all my heart. I really, really do.”

 

Pentwater won both regular-season games with the Panthers on its way to the league title.

 

It was a 7-7 game when Johnson splashed a pair of triples and Michael Carlson hit one over the last 1:25 of the first quarter to open a 16-9 lead at the horn.

 

The Falcons extended their lead to 10 points on two separate occasions in the second quarter before the Panthers came to life, shutting the Falcons down and rocketing back into the game with 11 unanswered points for a 28-27 halftime edge.

 

Baldwin built its lead to seven, 34-27, in the third quarter.

 

Then it was Johnson taking over, knocking down another triple and then swooping in for a layup after a steal to bring the Falcons back into a 34-all tie.

 

Pentwater kept up the pressure and managed to scramble back for a 41-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

 

Johnson finished with a game-high 17 points to lead Pentwater, while Carlson added 16 and Jonny Arnouts tossed in 13.

 

Pentwater improved to 21-2 and will now play Muskegon Heights in the MHAA regional at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart on Tuesday. Muskegon Heights defeated Muskegon Catholic in its district title game on Friday night.