For the second consecutive year, Bloomington South and Silver Creek played an instant classic. This time it ended with Indiana University signee Anthony Leal drilling a three as time expired to give the Panthers a 69-66 victory. (Pictured: Anthony Leal)

To begin the game, neither team could be stopped. There were scores on eight of the first nine possessions of the game. It was insane. Kooper Jacobi knocked down a three-pointer for Silver Creek. After a Leal score, Jacobi used a kind bounce to make his second triple. There was non-stop action in the first half.

The stars for both teams – Trey Kaufman and Leal – were aggressive and locked in from the tip. Leal attacked off the dribble while mixing in a few three-pointers. Kaufman took the action to the South bigs. Leal scored 13 points in the opening quarter while Kaufman had 10.

For the entire game, it was back and forth. There were 14 lead changes and 13 ties with South’s six-point advantage in the second period being the widest margin. Silver Creek had a five-point lead late in the game with a chance to expand it but failed to make a few free throws.

Leal’s first half was the best I’ve seen him play. That includes likely a hundred games when Indiana Elite and Bloomington South games are factored in. He was on a mission and was knocking down shots from deep.

Despite Leal’s half, Silver Creek led by one at half time. The Dragons had an 88.1 true shooting percentage in the first half, and it only gave them a one-point advantage. That’s unheard of.

After halftime, the game didn’t slow down too much. Connor Hickman fueled an 11-2 South run to put the Panthers up six points late in the third. Hickman hit a three then a floater on the next possession. James Bomba capped the run with a two-hand dunk.

Like the rest of the game, Silver Creek bounced right back. The Dragons used a Kaufman bucket late in the third then a score to open the fourth to get right back in it. Silver Creek scored on its first three possessions of the final quarter to tie the game. Jacobi’s three-pointer gave SC an 11-2 run of its own to go up three.

Throughout the run, South was getting open looks from the three-point line. The shots just weren’t falling for the Panthers. On the other end, Silver Creek kept milking Kaufman and Jacobi.

Down five, Bloomington South turned it over then fouled Jacobi. The 2021 forward is an excellent free throw shooter, and it looked like the Dragons might be able to ice the game away in the final two minutes. Uncharacteristically, he missed both free throws, and Noah Jager sank a three for South.

With Silver Creek up two, South fouled Northern. He split his free throws to put the Dragons up three points.

After an uneventful first half which saw him pick up three fouls, Hickman stepped up in the second half and especially the fourth quarter. He was involved in every play – rebounds, defensive efforts, scoring. Hickman had six rebounds in the final quarter alone. Down three and not having his best shooting performance, Hickman stepped into a 25-footer and cashed it to tie the game with just over a minute to play.

With the game tied, Silver Creek could play for one shot. Bloomington South pressured the Dragons for thirty seconds before forcing a turnover. Of course, Hickman was there to make the play for the Panthers.

Now it was South’s turn to milk the clock for a final shot at the victory. With five seconds left, Leal worked to get a three-pointer. Immediately before he started his motion, Silver Creek fouled him. The Dragons had a foul to give. South had to enter the ball and get off a shot in 3.1 seconds, and this happened.

Anthony Leal calls game!

Bloomington South 69, Silver Creek 66 pic.twitter.com/nALdyXJTmX

— Trevor Andershock (@INBBallSource) February 2, 2020

Bloomington South stayed undefeated with the 69-66 victory.

Anthony Leal finished with 28 points on 5-10 from three-point range. He also had eight rebounds and five assists. Connor Hickman had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Noah Jager added 11 points and four assists.

Trey Kaufman led Silver Creek with 27 points by going 11-12 from the free throw line. Kooper Jacobi added 18 points and went four of six from three. Holden Groher added 11 points. Branden Norther recorded eight points and eight assists.