The Utica boys basketball team came from behind to win against Licking Valley in a game that stretched into double overtime, with a score of 73-71.
The game was played on February 3 at Licking Valley.
Utica trailed by ten after the first quarter when Licking Valley opened the game with twenty-three points. By halftime, Utica cut the deficit to five after holding the Panthers to seven points in the second quarter. Utica outscored Licking Valley in the third quarter and only trailed by two going into the fourth. At the end of the quarter, the teams were tied at fifty-seven. After the first overtime, the teams remained tied, but this time with sixty-four points. During the second overtime, Utica pulled ahead and secured the win.
Hunter McKinney and Weston Simon led the team with twenty-three and twenty-one points, respectively. After them were Nate Hite and Sam Krueger with nine points each. Krueger’s nine points came entirely from three-pointers.
Zane Hancock was Licking Valley’s leading scorer with twenty-one points on the night. Nine of his points came from overtime, as he was a great contributor to Valley's effort to keep their lead.
Utica’s next match-up is away against Granville Christian Academy on February 14.
Utica and Granville’s last matchup was on February 13, 2025. Utica won 60-49.
