Bucks score controversial win over All-Stars Last-second win all in fun for training center celebration

Lester Endsley’s put-back of a series of near-misses to conclude the annual Holmes County Bucks versus the Holmes County Community All-Stars game at West Holmes High School on Thursday, March 25, may or may not have been hoisted following the final buzzer. However, when Ron Hay, former Holmes County Training Center (HCTC) principal, longtime Bucks coach and obvious advocate for all things which favor the Bucks, signaled a good bucket, it gave the Bucks a thrilling 62-60 win over the All-Stars.

But while the game was a series of air balls, 3-pointers, layups and a fair share of chicanery, the one thing that the game accomplished first and foremost was a season-ending celebration of the Bucks’ run, which culminates each year with the all-star showcase featuring local business people from around the county.

The game has always had a ‘feel-good’ atmosphere, and close to 250 people turned out to watch the teams go at it again, as the All-Stars sought their first-ever victory. While the action is enjoyable, the true meaning behind the game is never lost on the players and many who attend. To a person, the All-Stars agreed that this evening was one of their favorites of the year, and coming back time after time is counted as a privilege.

All-Star Ty Meyer said the reason he has been a five-time All-Star is simple. “It’s good to support the Bucks, it’s good to support the training center board and what their mission is in Holmes County,” said Meyer. “These players give a lot of time and energy every year, and it’s nice to come out and have a good time and laugh and share a good time with them.”

Chad Troyer agreed with that assessment, adding, “This is such a great cause and I really do love doing it. Seeing everyone having such a good time, and watching the expressions on people’s faces, you can see that everyone here is having a great time.”

The Bucks certainly were having a good time early on in the game, With Endsley connecting from the baseline and inside, and Jim Burkholder and Steve Miller heating up from behind the 3-point arc, the Bucks raced to a 30-10 lead in what appeared to be a blowout, and led 36-20 at the half.

But a ferocious comeback in the third quarter led by Meyer, Seth Imhoff and Jason Hummel helped the All-Stars roar back, and when All-Star newcomer Randy Ramsey put in a layup, the All-Stars had knotted the score at 38. Bob Boss gave the All-Stars their first lead since 2-0 (at which point the game was stopped to take a photo proving the All-Stars did indeed at least have one lead on the evening) at 42-40. Ben Ogi followed Endsley’s layup with a triple to give the All-Stars a 45-42 lead, and when Mark Lonsinger drained a trey, it was 48-44. That’s when a trio of Bucks favorites took over. Dennis Hershberger scored inside twice, Leroy Kuhns dropped in a 3-pointer and Shawn Garnes scored inside, and all of a sudden, the Bucks had claimed a 54-49 edge. David Hall put the Bucks up 56-49, but an Ogi tip-in and a Boss 3-pointer closed the gap to two. With 35 seconds to play, Jim Lindeman launched from deep and connected, to make it 58-57 Bucks. Endsley scored two more of his game-high 18 points to give the Bucks a 60-57 lead with 20 seconds to play, but the sharp-shooting Lindeman hit a bomb from the top of the key with 4.4 seconds to play to knot the score at 60.

During the ensuing time out, All-Star coach Lonsinger exhorted his players, saying, “We have a game plan drawn up for this occasion, let’s just go out and execute the plan. I can’t spell it out any plainer than that.”

Inbounding from beneath their bucket, the Bucks got a flurry of shots off from close range, as a very pro-Bucks crowd went berserk in the game’s closing moments. Hershberger was fouled with one second to play, but missed both free throws and a foul was called on the Bucks. Lonsinger then inbounded the ball under the Bucks’ basket, but the errant pass was picked off by Endsley, who missed his first shot before grabbing the rebound and sticking it back in for the controversial game-winner.

“This will probably be the last time you ever see a game won after the final buzzer,” said Lonsinger, who managed to continue his perfectly imperfect record as coach. “But in all seriousness, this night means a lot to the Bucks players and to all of us. The training center means such a great deal to our county, and we all hope that the people of Holmes County get out and vote to pass the upcoming levy. We all appreciate the great job everyone does (at the center).”

The exciting finish was a wonderful way to top off another quality year from the Bucks. Team members include Hall, Garnes, Endsley, Kuhns, Melissa Johnson, Miller, Hershberger, Travis McVay, Terry Bretz, Burkholder and Harold Norris.

Congratulations to the Bucks on another great season, and to the community for its loyalty and support over the years.