JEFFERSON TWP — The seven sophomores on the Knoch boys basketball team did a lot of growing up during their 64-62 double overtime Section 1-AAA win over Burrell Tuesday night at home.

The Knights' sophomores scored 43 of the team's points and helped Knoch rally from three eight-point deficits.

With a matchup against first-place Mars looming Friday, this was a game Knoch (7-4, 4-1) couldn't afford to give away.

Sophomore point guard Austin Hannes, who finished with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists, was especially determined after the Knights scored 29 points in a loss to Slippery Rock last Friday.

Knoch's performance was far from perfect, but it was a momentous win.

“This is the first game we played together as one. Everyone pitched in,” Hannes said. “It wasn't our best game, but it made us all stronger.”

Hannes set up fellow sophomore Jackson McKee to put Knoch ahead for good in the second overtime.

He drove toward the rim and was halted by the Bucs' defense before dishing to McKee.

McKee swished a 3-pointer to put the Knights ahead 61-60 with 59.3 seconds remaining.

Knoch coach Ron McNabb was pleased with his team's mental approach.

“We grew up a whole lot tonight,” McNabb said. “Friday, our mental approach wasn't where it should be. ... I was really happy with our mental approach. We came out and didn't shoot the ball well, but I like the way we battled.”

On the ensuing possession, Burrell (7-5, 1-4) missed a layup and the ball squirted toward midcourt. McKee, who finished with 14 points, drove toward the ball and poked it free.

Hannes collected the ball and was fouled. He made both free throws to extend Knoch's lead to three.

“Every day in practice coaches preach hustle, hustle, hustle,” McKee said. “I saw the ball there and a couple other guys were there, too, and I wanted to do anything I could to get a win.”

Senior Troy Hixson also had 12 points for Knoch.

The Knights needed some luck to survive a stiff challenge from the Bucs. Down by three in the first overtime, Burrell's Bredan Lettrich made a long 3-pointer to even the game at 56 with four seconds remaining.

The Bucs stole the ensuing inbounds pass and had a layup go off the rim.

The Knights only led once in regulation, 12-11, in the second quarter. After Knoch took the lead, the Bucs responded with three straight treys, including two from Max Garda, to take the lead back.

Garda finished with 19 and helped Burrell build a 37-31 halftime lead. That lead lasted until the final 20 seconds.

Hannes set up senior Matt Zanella for a jumper he was fouled on. Zanella sank both free throws with 4.1 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Then the Knights found a way to win.

“Certainly double overtime games are going to prepare you a lot for going through the season with an older team, let alone a younger team like we have,” McKee said. “I think in the long run it's going to be good for us.”

BURRELL 62

Lucas Cable 2 1-2 5, Max Garda 6 3-4 19, Joey Cox 4 2-3 13, Brendan Lettrich 6 2-5 15, Jack Ryan 3 0-0 7, Nick Kotecki 0 0-0 0, Collin Carter 1 1-4 2. Totals: 22 9-18 62.

KNOCH 64

Aiden Albert 2 0-2 5, Troy Hixson 2 4-4 10, Matt Zanella 2 2-2 6, Mac Christy 0 0-0 0, Austin Hannes 8 4-4 23, PJ Gourley 0 6-10 6, Jackson McKee 2 8-10 14. Totals: 16 24-32 64.

Burrell 11 11 15 14 5 6 — 62

Knoch7 13 11 20 5 8 — 64

3-point goals: Burrell 8 (Garda 4, Cox 3, Ryan); Knoch 8 (Hannes 3, McKee 2, Hixson 2, Albert)

Friday: Mars at Knoch