Bolton Construction Bests Civilworks New England in OT, 58-53; Win League Title
3/24/2023

DOVER — Bolton Construction captured its second straight Over-The-Hill hoop title Wednesday night in Dover. They beat Civilworks New England in the title game 58-53.

    In a game befitting the league’s top two teams it went to overtime to crown the winner. In the OT period Keith Weir and Gary Lytle each scored four points for Bolton to help secure the win.  With barely :45 remaining on the clock and only down 52-50, a trio of Civilworks players missed three close shots which would have tied the game. Gary Lytle hit a reverse layup twenty seconds later. 

    On the next possession Jeff Barbour (game-high 30 points) rattled the rim on a three-point attempt. When Civilworks fouled on the ensuing possession, Lytle calmly made both free throws.  Weir then scooped up a mishandled Civilworks ball and scored on a length of the court drive to seal the win.

     Getting to overtime proved to be knuckle-biting as neither team could secure a major advantage. The game was tied seven times in the second half, the final one at 50-50 when Civilworks’ Shane Hutchings scored off an inbounds play with eight seconds to play. Bolton Construction was paced by Louis Halle who found his range in the second half scoring all nine of his points.  He was followed by Dave Hersey with eight in the second stanza. Gary Lytle (a team-high 19 points) had seven. Meanwhile, Civilworks’ Barbour had 14 and his teammate Matt Stith added seven.

    The biggest lead of the evening was eight points midway through the first half by Bolton, 16-8. But Civilworks cut into that over the next seven minutes and finally grabbed a  one-point advantage, 18-17, with 2:30 to play.  The teams exchanged baskets and when Dave Simoneau scored off an offensive rebound, the building crew led at the break 23-21.