Lumen Christi Boys Basketball Triumph Over Ninchilik Marred By End-Game Controversy

In the game of basketball, controversy will almost surely follow if the outcome is based on a final, buzzer-beating shot.

In the case of the game between the Lumen Christi Archangels and the Ninilchik Wolverines, it was not spared from controversy–particularly on how the end game results were handled.

First off, it was a classic basketball game between the Archangels and the Wolverines. The game was so close that it needed to go to overtime. But the drama unfolded in the dying seconds of the crucial match.

With about 16 seconds left to play, the Wolverines appeared headed to victory after point guard and tournament MVP Landon Colburn drove the lane and dished to Jaylin Scott for a layup. This gave Ninilchick a 71-69 lead with the final horn sounding.

However, it turned out that after the basket, Lumen Christi was able to call a time out. Before the last 16-second play, Archangels head coach Adam Trombley asked game officials if players could call a timeout.

Referees said it was possible, so Trombley instructed his captain ball Daniel Bennet to immediately call one if Ninilchik was able to score. However, the controversy here is if it was called in time and how much time would be left on the clock.

Through a video shared on social media, it could be seen that a lob pass was made to Lumen Christi’s Brendon Gregory. But before he got his hands on the leather, the video shows the ball passing through the hands of Tim Bennett before Gregory scored on a three-point shot.

Pundits feel that it would have been impossible for Gregory to hit that game-winner if the clock had run when it initially hit Bennett.

Efforts were made to try and seek clarification. But instead, game officials scampered out of the court with Ninilchik assistant coach Nick Finley trying to encourage them to come back. It never happened.

An appeal would then be placed by Ninilchik a day after that championship game. The request was denied, but the Wolverines would not give up.

From there, other issues such as game officials not being certified were raised, not to mention technicalities involving the host school–something tied to the referees calling the game.

Game controversies such as this are not new to closely-fought basketball games. However, the questionable handling of queries by the losing team here has turned into something ugly.

It was a heartbreaking development for the Wolverines with Ninchilik High School principal announcing he would no longer serve as the secretary and treasurer of Region II after the spring due to the way things were handled.

It was a heartbreaking development that broke the hearts of all players on the Wolverines side. Now, the only way they can qualify for the state tournament is if a team drops out before games begin at Colony High School on April 1.