A last second steal, full court dribble and buzzer-beating lay up gave Petersburg a 62-60 win over the visiting Kayhi Kings of Ketchikan Thursday night before a fired up crowd of Petersburg fans.
Ketchikan held a narrow lead for most of the game, up 16-15 after one quarter, 32-31 at half and 52-49 at the end of three. Petersburg was able to take the lead in the final minutes before Ketchikan came back to tie the score. The Kings had the ball and 26 seconds on the clock with the scored knotted at 60. That’s when PHS senior Stewart Conn had the game winning steal and basket to give the Vikings a dramatic victory over a non-conference opponent.
Petersburg was led in scoring by three seniors, Wolf Brooks scored 20 points, Conn had 19 and Alan McCay had 17 points. Ketchikan benefitted from some hot three-point shooting and also forced some turnovers that led to easy fast break points.
Brock says he could feel poise from his team when they needed to score to keep up with Ketchikan. “When we needed baskets we went inside where we had an advantage,” Brock explained. “I just thought Wolf (Brooks), Wolf especially played big inside asking for the ball, we did a great job of getting him the basketball. Mark (Neidiffer) and Blaine (Volk), fantastic job with Alan (McCay) and Stewart (Conn) getting him the ball where he could score. But I really liked our composure. Like I said there were a few times in the game where they’re so fast they can score in bunches. They’ve had other teams that have been close and then they’ll go on a10-0 run in a minute and half. So I’m really happy with our composure to be able to stay in contact with them. And then the decision making down the stretch and some big shots and the overall basketball play by Stewart to steal the ball and go the length of the court.”

Ketchikan coach Eric Stockhausen and Petersburg coach Rick Brock dressed in support of the Sagerstrong Foundation Thursday.
Ketchikan has the chance for revenge as Petersburg plays the Kings on their home court later this month.