By By JEFF FISHER / Edwardsburg Argus
Trailing by three points with 1.5 seconds to play Eddies senior point guard Mike Rangel took a kicked-out pass from Brent Shuttleworth and canned a three-pointer in the far corner to give the Eddies a thrilling 57-55 victory over Coloma Friday night at home.
Coloma came into the contest having won seven straight games and having defeated the Eddies earlier in the season 51-49.
"The play was designed for Brent to drive and get the foul or make a shot, but they stopped him, and he got the ball off to me, and it just rolled off my fingers," said a jubilant Rangel.
"It was a good game, the past two games the kids have really stepped it up. What can you say about Rangel's shot, it was a huge, huge shot. Rangel has played the kid I thought he was and I just hope that continues. It is night and day, but I will take a win it is so much sweeter," Eddies coach Steve Austin said.
Edwardsburg, (4-12) took a 13-10 lead in the first quarter on two Brent Shuttleworth baskets and opened up a 24-15 second quarter advantage.
Coloma began to chip away at the lead. Tremayne Williams knocked down back-to-back treys to tie the contest 26-26 at the half.
Coloma continued the third quarter on a 17-2 run, but the Eddies began to rally.
Two Shuttleworth hoops followed by Korey Moore narrowed the Comet deficit to three (35-32) after three quarters.
Coloma took a 53-51 lead after a Joe Richardson's basket.
Rangel dialed in from long distance to give the Comets a one-point lead (54-55).
Richardson was fouled with 11 seconds to play, but missed both free-throws to set up the last minute heroics by Rangel.
Coloma had one last chance but missed a midcourt shot to end the game.
Edwardsburg outscored Coloma 25-20 in that pivotal fourth quarter.
"I am very pleased, the kids never gave up and everyone stepped up," Austin added. "The kids realize that if they play hard all the time that good things are going to happen."
"I thought these kids had potential but just weren't there yet and now the seniors have begun to step it up. One thing we talked about when I was interviewed last spring was that they wanted respect back to the program, and I told them after the Cass game that they have done that."
Shuttleworth led the Eddies with 19 points. Rangel with 16 and Jake Harroff added 10.
Coloma was led by Joe Richardson with 15.