KELLY OUTLASTS LEOPOLD IN DOUBLE OT

Kelly needed two overtimes to knock off Leopold 64-62 in the consolation championship game of the University High Christmas Tournament Thursday.

The first overtime period ended in bizarre fashion.

After Kelly's Michael Romas hit a 3-pointer with just 12.3 seconds left, Leopold had a chance to win the game.

Their final shot missed, but a foul was called on Leopold on a long rebound at the buzzer. Kelly went to the other end for the possible game-winning free throw, but Quinton Schaefer missed both attempts and the game went into a second overtime.

Kelly outscored Leopold 9-7 in the second extra period. Berry Ziegler put Kelly ahead for good, 62-61, when he scored on a drive with 59 seconds left .

"I'm so proud of our kids," said Kelly coach Kent Mangels. "Our focus has been there all week."

Kelly was relegated to the consolation bracket by Scott County Central, which received 49 points form Jreece Johnson in an 84-81 victory.

Kelly rebounded with a 55-37 victroy over Oak Ridge; the Hawks then downed Oran 68-51; then outlasted Leopold.

"The kids were down after what Jreece Johnson did to us, but so many kids stepped up I can't even name them all," said Mangels. We're really getting better. Our first game we were shaky, but since then we've been okay."

Romas led Kelly with 22 points. while Jamie Essner finished with 16.

Jason Van de Ven scored 20 points for Leopold. Lee VanderMierden added 18 and Adam Horrell netted 14.