Rivals Blue Valley North and BV Northwest were going to be hard pressed Tuesday to deliver a more scintillating battle than the season&#x2019;s first meeting, which the Mustangs won on a bucket at the buzzer 18 days earlier.</p><p>Somehow, though, the visiting Huskies and host BV North found a way to top themselves in a clash of the top two teams in The Star&#x2019;s big-class boys&#x2019; basketball poll.</p><p>With sole possession of first place in the East Kansas League on the line (as well as the inside track to the top seed at the upcoming sub-state), second-ranked BV Northwest gutted out a 69-67 overtime win and atoned for its only loss of the season.</p><p>&#x201C;It might be the last time I ever play them, so it feels god to get this win,&#x201D; said Huskies senior center Jonny Giess, who netted game-highs for points (21) and rebounds (eight). &#x201C;We wanted that some revenge and it was all-or-nothing for the EKL. If we win, we&#x2019;ve probably got it. If they win, they&#x2019;ve probably got it. Hopefully, we can finish it out now.&#x201D;</p><p>BV Northwest, 16-1, finds itself in that position thanks to its own last-second game-winning layup.</p><p>The Huskies had a chance to win in regulation when Clay Custer went to the free-throw line with 3.6 seconds left in a tie ballgame, but the sophomore sensation missed both charity tosses sandwiched around a strategic Mustangs timeout.</p><p>Custer, who scored 16 with a game-best five assists, would get another chance in overtime after Mustangs junior Scott Edwards&#x2019; deep three at the end of regulation rimmed out to send the game into extra time. </p><p>This time, Custer would come through.</p><p>&#x201C;We told the guys to keep playing and trust that good things would happen,&#x201D; BV Northwest coach Ed Fritz said. &#x201C;That proved to be true.&#x201D;</p><p>With the clock winding under 10 seconds again in a tie game, Custer started a drive from midcourt as he had to end regulation when he drew a foul in the closing seconds.</p><p>Instead of barreling to the bucket, however, Custer unleashed a two-handed rocket pass to the right block where sophomore Ben Richardson found himself all alone for the go-ahead layup with 5.8 seconds left in overtime.</p><p>&#x201C;We had some miscommunication there and left somebody wide open at the basket, but I am still proud of the effort the guys gave,&#x201D; BV North coach Ryan Phifer said. &#x201C;It was a battle.&#x201D;</p><p>During the first half, it looked as if that battle would tilt the Mustangs&#x2019; way again.</p><p>The first 12 minutes featured 13 lead changes before BV North edged out to a 36-29 lead thanks in part to a technical foul on the BV Northwest student section for twice blowing a whistle during the run of play.</p><p>Senior Garrett Fugate almost single-handedly closed that gap during the closing minute before halftime. He picked a Huskies guard and midcourt and coasted in for a one-handed jam that invigorated the BV Northwest crowd and players.</p><p>&#x201C;I thought I was going to miss, because it slipped in my hands when I was going up,&#x201D; Fugate said. &#x201C;Fortunately, I got it down or I would have been benched the rest of the game. I wouldn&#x2019;t give it a good grade &#x2013; maybe a six or seven.&#x201D;</p><p>Fugate, who finished with 13 points, later tied the game at 36-36 with a layup at the buzzer off a steal by senior Brad Luebbert. He also connected on a three-pointer from the right corner for the first points in overtime.</p><p>&#x201C;We lost four points due to that technical, which really hurt, but we were able to battle back,&#x201D; Fritz said. &#x201C;Garrett plays with a lot of guts and a lot of emotion, and he did a great job tonight.&#x201D;</p><p>To reach Tod Palmer, sports reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4389 or send email to