Louisville Freshman Rally Vs. South Range to Advance to Title Game
Louisville 47, South Range 41
The 2nd Seed Louisville Leopards rallied for a 47-41 win over the 3rd Seed South Range Raiders in the NBC Freshman Tournament Semifinals Monday Night 
at Minerva High School. With the victory, Louisville improves to 17-5 on the season and remains unbeaten in NBC competition at 13-0.
Scott Gronow hit a pair of three-pointers in scoring a team-high 17 points to lead the Leopards comeback. Ryan Pukys then scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth to help Louisville seal the deal. Allen Staley also hit 3 of the Leopards 7 makes from beyond the arch to finish with 9.
Louisville found themselves in a hole early in trailing 14-3 at the end of the first quarter. They closed the gap some in the second quarter, but still trailed 26-18 at the break.
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The Leopards really started roaring in the third period as they outscored the Raiders 18-4 to take a 36-30 lead into the final frame. Louisville 
maintained their lead in playing an even fourth quarter to advance to the NBC Freshman Championship.
“We really found ourselves in a hole early,” Leopards Head Coach Austin Shaheen explained his team’s predicament early on. “But we got the shovels out and everyone dug a little deeper each quarter. Then we took over the second half, it was a solid team win.”
Louisville will attempt to complete NBC play a perfect 14-0 when they challenge the top seeded Canton South Wildcats in the NBC Championship on Wednesday, February 8. The Wildcats defeated #4 Seed Carrollton 55-36 in the first Semifinal game Monday Evening.
Canton South is 19-2 on the season with both of their losses coming against Louisville. The Leopards defeated them at home 65-45 on December 22 and also won 59-51 on the road recently on January 30. Tip-Off is set for 5:30 PM at Minerva High School.
Leopards Boys and Girls Basketball Teams from Middle School to Freshman have advanced to 4 of the 5 NBC Championship Games that will be played Wednesday.
UP NEXT: The Leopards Freshman Team will next take on the top seeded Canton South Wildcats in the NBC Championship on Wednesday, February 8. Game time is set for 5:30 PM at Minerva high School.
