Caden I. (Charlie R./Media)

Boys basketball faced their third defeat of the season, losing 40-39 to Buckeye Valley on Friday, February 9.

It was a close contest with both teams trading baskets for much of the game. Throughout the third quarter. Buckeye Valley began to pull away, finding themselves up 12 heading into the fourth.

Academy trimmed the lead through the fourth quarter, eventually hitting a mid-range jumper to take the lead. The Fighting Barons advanced the ball and hit a three after multiple attempts with 10 seconds remaining to go up one. 

With 9 seconds left, Academy was forced to call a timeout with 1.1 seconds remaining. Coach Warstler frantically drew up a play as the timeout ended. The two teams matched up, and the inbounded tossed it up to Anderson D. beneath the basket, who whipped it to MJ J, who got the shot off in time, but the layup was no good, and with that Academy was defeated.

The Vikes look to avenge their loss at home on Tuesday, February 13, at Grandview Heights and again on Friday, February 16, at home. This will be the Vikes’ last home game of the season.