High school basketball rivalries generate intense partisan feelings.

Few crowds could display as much as those who saw the Landrum men’s team shake off Polk County, 85-76, in overtime, at Columbus, last Friday, Dec. 6.

At the half, the Wolverines enjoyed a 41-27 lead, after displaying almost super-human athleticism and adrenaline. The Cardinals displayed just as incredible persistence and precision, in fighting back, basket by basket, to earn a 74-74 tie after regulation.

In the end, it was the Cardinal’s superior shooting ability, and Polk’s inability to make enough late-game shots, or grab offensive rebounds.

“It was a classic Polk versus Landrum rival game,” said Cardinals’ coach Lyn Smith. “It was an unbelievable comeback and you hate to see either team have to lose that ball game. We shot the ball poorly in the first half, and it seemed like all the rebounds and loose balls were going to Polk.

“We were getting good looks in the first half but nothing was falling,” Smith said. “I told the guys in the second half to keep shooting and keep believing in their teammates. They did that and they showed why you never quit until the final horn has sounded. With such a young and inexperienced team, this was a huge building block for our team. We proved we have that never quit attitude!”

The Cardinals’ Jonah Corn led all players with 29 points, while teammate Trevor Waker added 27. Sequan Miller’s 19 led the Wolverines. Jaron Bontrager (14), Jamal Tanner (11) and Wes Mullis (11) also paced Polk.

Landrum is 2-0, while the Wolverines, who defeated Chase, 56-42, on Dec. 4, fell to 2-2.

Look for more explosive play today, Tuesday, Dec. 10, when the two teams collide again, this time at Landrum.