Hempfield gave out free white T-shirts with “Spartan Empire” emblazoned on the front Friday night.
But a white-out turned into a red-out.
Hempfield and Norwin had their share of blood timeouts — from cuts on knees, bloody noses and a nasty cut above the left eye of Norwin’s Alex Graney that required medical attention — before Hempfield finally settled an intense Section 2-5A boys basketball finale in overtime with a 66-64 victory at the Spartan Field House.
It was physical. It was gritty. It was a playoff environment between playoff-bound teams filled with bandages and ice packs a week before the tournament begins.
“It’s a rivalry game, and it felt like one,” Norwin coach Cam Auld said.
Lucas Simmons altered King Carver’s potential game-tying layup after Carver’s steal under the Norwin basket with 2 seconds left. The ball rimmed out, and Hempfield (15-7, 8-6) held on for a section sweep of the Knights.
“Most crazy game I have ever seen in my life,” Simmons said. “We’re playing for the third spot in our section. Big, big win.”
The Spartans, in the postseason for the first time since 2021-22, have won seven of eight, but no victory has felt quite like this one.
“This is my first real taste of the ups and downs and the roller coaster as a coach,” Hempfield coach Austin Butler said. “It’s a different feeling being on this side. It feels great for our seniors who haven’t experienced the playoffs. They get bonus basketball, so the pressure is off in that sense.
“We’re fortunate to be two points better tonight.”
Norwin (11-11, 6-8) needed to win or have Imani Christian lose to make the playoffs. The latter happened, so the Knights still clinched a berth. But with a price.
Graney, who had a game-high 26 points, was treated by paramedics in an office near the front lobby after he left with 2:39 to play in the fourth and did not return.
Nate Kuch also left the game for Norwin with 1:02 to play in the fourth with a possible concussion.
“Any time you go to OT and lose by (two), it comes down to one, two, three, four or five plays,” Auld said. “The ball didn’t go our way. Our effort was great, and that is all you can ask for. We were in a must-win mindset and controlled our own destiny.”
Down two starters, Norwin forced overtime on a free throw by Carver with 1.9 seconds left in regulation. His second attempt missed, and it was 60-60.
Simmons made a driving layup after a five-second call on Norwin to put the Spartans up 60-59 with 12.6 seconds left.
“It’s a credit to our players and coaching staff,” Butler said. “We don’t always agree, but we listen to each other. That five-second call was all (assistant) Bryce (Butler).”
In overtime, Carver drove in to put Norwin ahead 62-61. But Trevor Donsen answered, and Simmons blocked a shot.
Donsen was whistled for a charge with 34.1 seconds to go, but Danny Husenits made two free throws to give Hempfield a 65-62 edge.
Husenits finished with 23 points, and Simmons added 20, scoring eight in the fourth.
Donsen chipped in 11.
Kuch and Carver each had 10. Carver made 6 of 8 free throws.
Graney had 14 in the first half and kept Norwin in the game after the Spartans built a 13-point lead in the second quarter.
“Norwin didn’t skip a beat when they subbed,” Austin Butler said. “Next man up.”
Carver struck again with a tip-in with 3.8 seconds to cut it to 65-64.
Then came Carver’s steal and Simmons’ recovery to nearly block the shot.
“I blocked it,” Simmons said. “I wanted to make a play there.”
His coach appreciated that play.
“We had a miscommunication there; Solid effort to know the play’s not over,” Austin Butler said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, that’s going in.”
Husenits scored 13 in the first half as Hempfield took a 31-27 edge into the break.
Norwin chipped away and took its first lead at 41-40 on a basket by Kuch.
Nico Keteles hit back-to-back 3-pointers for Norwin as the Knights took a 47-46 lead to the fourth.
Five lead changes followed. Graney made a hard-driving layup on the play in which he cut his eye to tie it 54-54.
Mario Csukas made a 3, and Carver made two free throws to give Norwin a 59-56 lead with 1:14 to play in regulation.
Donsen went 2 for 2 from the line to get Hempfield within 59-58 with 1:02 to go.
“Last year we tip-toed into the playoffs after getting blown out by them,” Auld said. “Our guys grinded it out. Our guys play for one another. Our guys are hurting and they’re supposed to feel like crap. We’ll regroup and get ready for next week.”