The Schuylkill League is into its home stretch and with the league expanding its playoffs this season, a lot of teams are still clinging to postseason hopes.

The big question for Lehighton and Jim Thorpe heading into Thursday night’s game was whether either of them could make a run at the league’s top three teams – Blue Mountain, North Schuylkill and Pottsville - and earn a playoff spot.

That hope took a positive turn for the Olympians, who survived a pair of overtimes to escape with a 52-51 victory.

But it wasn’t easy, and it was definitely crazy.

Thorpe seemed to have this one in its hip-pocket heading into the final quarter of regulation. The Olympians led 32-19 when junior Josh Spruill sank a pair of foul conversions.

There never seemed to be any concern for Thorpe after Joe Roth - who finished with 12 points - sank a pair of free throws early in the final quarter, while Owen Serfass hit one of two at the charity stripe for Lehighton.

A triple by Cole Dietz for the Tribe, and a Ben Goldberg’s basket for the Olympians, still had the JT advantage at a comfortable 11 points (36-25) with 3:56 to go.

But slowly and methodically, the Indians crept up. Thorpe wasn’t reacting to pressure, coughing it up eight times in the final quarter.

“We were struggling there, not making good passes, not making something happen,” said Jim Thorpe coach Jason McElmoyle about the closing stretch of regulation.

Meanwhile, Lehighton finally figured a way to get its offense on track and went on a 10-1 run. Dietz drilled two triples during the run, while Serfass buried a trey as the Indians pulled to within 37-35 with :37 seconds left in regulation.

Dietz then calmly tied the game with a basket in the final seconds to force the first overtime.

“We played into their hands for most of regulation,” said Lehighton coach Trevor Miller. “They lulled us to sleep … we never got into a good (offensive) flow, but it was Thorpe that caused it, so give them credit.”

Lehighton seemed to be riding the crest of momentum when the first overtime began. It took a quick 43-40 lead when Dietz sank a trey, before Jasper DiSanto got it back with a three of his own for Thorpe. Andrew Warner - who had a solid outing - put Thorpe in front on a nifty floater for a 45-43 lead with :34 left.

After Thorpe failed to convert a free-throw opportunity with :10 remaining, Lehighton took advantage to once again deadlock the game in the final seconds. This time, it was Roberts who delivered, as the freshman missed a shot from the corner, but hustled for the rebound and hit the follow-up shot as time expired.

“That was quite a play for a freshman,” Miller said. “He got a great rebound … and made a great follow-up.”

But in the second overtime, Thorpe rose to the occasion.

Warner and Spruill each sank two foul shots, and Goldberg added a basket which enabled Thorpe to grab a 52-45 lead.

But the Tribe wasn’t done just yet, as Dietz and Serfass both drilled triples to cut the deficit to 52-51 with :14 to play.

Thorpe kept the door open with it missed a pair of free throws with :04 left. The Indians rebounded the second miss and quickly rushed to halfcourt, but Noah Roshac - the Olympians’ 6-6 junior center - sealed the win by swatting away the potential game- winning shot at the buzzer.

UNSUNG

… Goldberg and Werner surely were the keys throughout for Thorpe. The former made some big steals, while the latter played heady, and at times fearless. Ditto for DiStanto.

HE SAID IT

…”Our guys are doing the little things right; we had some things at the end that we have to clean up where we had some costly turnovers. But we’re finally finding a way to win.” said McElmoyle.

STILL IN THE HUNT

… Although still a long shot to make the league playoffs, Thorpe’s win improves its record to 4-5 in league play and 7-9 overall, and gives it a shot to get the third playoff berth in Division 1 if it can finish strong. Lehighton falls to 3-6 and 8-9.

SWEEPING

… Thorpe won out in the opener 45-42 behind Matt Domski, who scored 20 points. Noah Hawk scored 17 for Lehighton.

JIM THORPE

Spruill 1-3-5-6, Warner 3-4-6-10, Domski 0-0-0-0, Goldberg 5-1-4-13, DiSanto 2-0-3-6, McHugh 0-0-0-0, Barile 3-0-0-9, Rosahac 3-2-2-8. TOTALS: 17-10-20-52.

LEHIGHTON

Light 0-0-0-0, Serfass 3-2-3-10, Blauch 0-0-0-0, Johnson 2-0-0-6, Roberts 5-0-0-11, Roth 3-6-8-12, Dietz 4-2-2-12. TOTALS: 17-10-13-51.

Jim Thorpe 8 10 12 7 8 7 – 52

Lehighton 2 10 7 18 8 6 – 51

Three-pointers: Jim Thorpe – Barile 3, DiSanto 2, Goldberg 2, Spruill 1; Lehighton – Serfass 2, Johnson 2, Dietz 2, Roberts 1