Perham's Mark Schumacher (00) went up for a shot over the defense of WEM's Conrad Masberg (5). Marlin Levison, Star Tribune
During a timeout with 1:17 remaining in the second half of Friday’s second 2A semifinal between No. 8 seed Perham and No. 2 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, and with his team down two, Perham forward Zach Gabbard — who was sidelined after suffering cardiac arrest in a January game — was shown on the big screen to an eruption from Yellowjackets fans.
Seconds later, Perham center Mark Schumacher tied the score at 32-32, inciting another roar from the crowd and sending the game to overtime.
It might have been just the spark Perham needed, as the Yellowjackets held off the Buccaneers 45-41 in double overtime behind some crucial Sam Stratton free throws in the closing minutes.
“That was huge because [Stratton] struggled at the free-throw line this year,” Yellowjackets coach Dave Cresap said. “We finally started a motto about two, three days ago. We said, 'Everybody, when you step to that foul line late in the game, early in the game … everybody’s there with you. Don’t feel like you’re alone.’”
Nick Tobkin led the Yellowjackets with 14 points, including two crucial free throws near the end of the first overtime to keep Perham alive.
Andrew Baker is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.