Focht beats the buzzer to help the Orioles win the Sanner Tip Off

Rocky Grove and Cranberry gave the crowd a game worth watching Saturday during the Roy Sanner Memorial Tip Off Tournament. 

The two Venango squads waged a back-and-forth battle that included double digit runs by each leading up the the final moments of the game. 

At the end of the first quarter Cranberry held a 14-10 edge over Rocky Grove. The Orioles charged to a 20-15 lead with 5:32 left in the second quarter. By the time the buzzer went off to end the half, the Berries were ahead again, this time 30-24. 

Both teams came out of the locker room on fire. Before the halfway mark of the third quarter, it was tied it at 39. Then the Orioles went on a rampage, outscoring the Berries 16-5 down the stretch and securing a 55-44 lead ahead of the of the final quarter. 

​But the Berries would not be denied. During the next six minutes of play, Cranberry put down 17 points to Rocky Grove's 8. The Berries were down by 2 when Niko Blauser converted and old fashion three-point play, first tying the game bucket from the paint and then taking the lead with a plus one from the line. The crowd erupted in excitement. 

With just under 10 seconds to play, Rocky Grove called a timeout before inbounding the the ball. When action started again, they got the ball across the halfcourt line and called another timeout with just over 5 seconds left on the clock. ​

A few quick passes and the ball was in the hands of junior Aiden Focht who downed a baseline jumper from the left just before the buzzer. 

Rocky Grove earned the 65-64 win and the tournament championship. 

More photos from the Saturday championship game.