While exciting, overtime basketball games can take their toll.

Hours after needing extra time to knock off South Suburban Conference rival Eagan on the road Friday night, Lakeville South players and coaches were back on the bus Saturday morning for an early afternoon tip with Wayzata.

Thirty-six minutes of basketball wasn't enough there either, with the two tied 69-69 after regulation.

The Trojans eventually squeaked out a two-point victory, but Cougars coach John Sheehan isn't worried.

"The team has a lot of depth," he said following the back-to-back nailbiters. "I would like to think our second group could be playing a top-notch varsity schedule this year and be successful. We have eight seniors that provide a lot of leadership. It's a strong team that is having some fun."

Games like these recent overtime affairs and two losses by a combined five points to Hopkins and St. Paul Johnson – the defending Class 4A and 3A state champions, respectively – have Lakeville South brimming with confidence.

"They're used to any situation," Sheehan said. "If they get down, they're not going to panic and if they're up they need to close the game."

The Cougars failed to do that in regulation against the Wildcats. That forced an extra-session with Wayzata looming hours later.

"It was a mental drain; it sure would have been nice to come out on top in both of those games and I think we could have," Sheehan said. "Unfortunately, we had some trouble with some defense and didn't get to the free-throw line like we should have."

Seniors Alex Richter (23 points per game), Jon Christensen (13) and Riley West (11) have helped put the Cougars in good position to win a South Suburban Conference championship. But that is far from the end goal.

"The majority of the kids know what it takes to win," Sheehan said. "That [conference] title would be huge, but that said, all of the teams in our conference can play. That's just our conference. I don't want the kids to relax."