Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
VIENNA — Senior Marcato Constante drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer as time expired in overtime to give the Vienna Eagles a 68-66 win over rival Goreville, clinching at least a share of the Black Diamond West championship.
Cato, as he’s known to his friends and teammates, was mobbed after his dramatic shot that capped a wild 20 second sequence to end the game. Trailing 64-63, Vienna’s Tommy Holbubner scored off an offensive rebound to put the Eagles up 65-64. Goreville immediately pushed the ball upcourt with Connor Craig scoring on a layup plus the foul with 6.6 seconds to play, putting the Blackcats back on top 66-65.
Craig missed the free throw, then Owen Treat zipped into frontcourt and set up Constante for the game winner. Officials had whistled a foul on the shot, but when it went in anyway, the game was over.
Treat led all scorers with 20 points. Jacob Waters added 14, Hunter Webb 12, and Constante 10. Drake Moss led the Blackcats with 17. Cole Tripp added 14 and Craig 11.
Vienna improves to 24-6, and finishes 11-1 in the BDC West. Goreville falls to 26-3, 9-1 in the conference. The Blackcats still have two conference games to play in the final week of the regular season–at Johnston City Tuesday and a home game with Trico Thursday. Goreville will also grab a share of the conference title with win over the Indians and Pioneers.
