Solarek’s game-winner lifts Edwardsburg to 59-58 double OT win over Niles

Published 11:15 am Tuesday, February 25, 2025

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DOWAGIAC — Connor Solarek tallied nine points, including the game-winning basket with just seconds remaining to lift the Edwardsburg Eddies to a 59-58 double overtime win over Niles in a Division 2 district game fans from both schools will talk about for years to come.

Trailing 57-55 in double overtime, Niles’ Quinton King – who had sent the game into overtime with a basket near the rim – stole an Edwardsburg inbounds pass and passed it to Brenden Olsen, who sent it back to King in the left corner. King’s 3-pointer gave the Vikings a 58-57 lead with approximately 10 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, The Eddies found Solarek, whose mid-range basket beat the buzzer to send Edwardsburg to the second round. 

Brody Schimpa led Edwardsburg with 14 points and Blaise Crist and Matt Anders scored 12 points respectively. Michael Wright had 10 points and Reed Gates added two for the Eddies, who moved on to face Berrien Springs at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Dowagiac.

Buchanan beats Dowagiac 48-28

Karmine Brown hit seven 3-pointers Monday night – all in the first half – as he helped lead the Buchanan Bucks to a 48-28 win over host Dowagiac in the district opener. The Bucks led the Chieftains 33-11 at halftime. Logan Wiggins added eight points for Buchanan. Isaiah Fitchett scored 10 points to lead the Chieftains, who finished the season with a 1-20 record. Buchanan (16-6) takes on Benton Harbor at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Dowagiac.

BOYS BASKETBALL

DISTRICTS

DIVISION 2

EDWARDSBURG 59, NILES 58 (2 OTS)

At Dowagiac

EDWARDSBURG (59): Joe Shively 0, Brody Schimpa 14, Conor Solarek 9, Blaise Crist 12, Michael Wright 10, Reed Gates 2, Matt Anders 12. Totals 19 19-24 59.

NILES (58): Quinton King Jr. 3, Brayden Favors 29, Andre Wells 11, Brenden Olsen 6, Acie Kirtdoll 5, Derek Hill Jr. 0, Donovyn Williams 4. Totals 22 9-12 58

Edwardsburg 12 17 30 44 50 59

Niles 19 24 37 44 50 58 

3-point baskets: Edwardsburg 2 (Solarek 1, Wright 1), Niles 5 (Favors 3, King Jr. 1, A. Kirtdoll 1). Total fouls (fouled out): Edwardsburg 16, Niles 19 (A. Kirtdoll). Records: Edwardsburg 16-7, Niles 12-11

BUCHANAN 48, DOWAGIAC 28

At Dowagiac

BUCHANAN (48): Tyler Frame 0, Preston Payne 0, Liam McBeth 3, Ari Johnson 3, Karmine Brown 27, Jake Franklin 2, Logan Wiggins 8, Owen Thompson 5. Totals 18 4-6 48.

DOWAGIAC (28): Jamal Williams 2, Braylon Wade 3, Devin Rock 3, Isaiah Fitchett 10, Kaleb Smith 1, Aiden Martin 3, Chase Frazier 4, Riley McCaffrey 2. Totals 8 9-11 28. 

Buchanan 18 33 43 48

Dowagiac 5 11 19 28

3-point baskets: Buchanan 8 (Brown 7, McBeth 1), Dowagiac 3 (Wade 1, Rock 1, Martin 1). Total fouls: Buchanan 12, Dowagiac 7. Records: Buchanan 16-6, Dowagiac 1-19