GARDINER — The Tigers used their claws to come back on Friday night.

Trailing by 15 points entering the final period, Gardiner Area High School thwarted a mammoth effort from Oxford Hills’ Matt Fleming to post a wild, come-from-behind 63-61 win over the Vikings in a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference boys basketball game.

Three different Tigers hit double figures in the win over a Class AA Oxford Hills team that had lost only three times previously this season. Cole Heaberlin finished with 13 points for Gardiner (8-6), which connected for eight 3-pointers on the night and made 13 free throws to help make up the difference.

Fleming scored 41 points for the Vikings, who ran out to a 47-32 lead through three quarters on the strength of a 21-point third period.

Isaiah Magee added 13 points and eight rebounds for Gardiner, while Cole Lawrence was superb, as well, with 12 points and five boards in the win.

Kyle Johnson scored seven points and dished out four assists in a supporting role.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.