In its toughest test so far this season, Winfield-Mt. Union boys basketball gutted out a comeback win last night over Burlington Notre Dame 51-49 in the Class 1A District 9 finals.

In a game heard on KCII, Cam Buffington got the scoring underway for WMU with a two-point bucket and the early lead. The Nikes not only answered, but built a five-point lead of their own after the first eight minutes. Both offenses were held relatively in check, but Burlington Notre Dame got 12 first-half points from Gedi Boal and some timely threes to grow their lead to eight at the half.

Buffington came out of the break on a mission for the Wolves, scoring 11 of the teams 17 third-quarter points. Still, the Nikes always seemed to have a response whether it be a big shot or takeaway. At one point in the third, the Burlington Notre Dame lead was as much as 14. A pair of late threes from Jake Edwards and Gabe Hemsworth stopped the bleeding slightly, but the Wolves headed to the fourth behind by 10.

With no time to waste, Winfield-Mt. Union began the final frame on a 9-0 run, thanks to another three from Jake Edwards and continued dominance from Buffington. Cam finished with a game-high 26 as the Wolves clawed all the way back to tie it at 46. In the games closing minutes Edwards added his deepest three of the night to give Winfield its first least since the game was 2-0. The masterful Wolves defense allowed just one field goal the entire quarter, but that three from Shay Stephens knotted things once again at 49.

Abram Edwards, who had a relatively quiet half would not be denied on the Wolves final offensive possession. Grabbing three consecutive offensive rebounds, the senior eventually earned a trip to the free-throw line with 11 seconds remaining. Edwards who was 0-4 from the stripe up to that point in the contest was absolute nails, hitting both to give Winfield back the lead. It was two good looks from the Nikes on their last possession, but neither would fall as the Wolves survived a thriller.

With a few days to rest and prepare, Winfield-Mt. Union is now just one win away from qualifying for State. To reach that goal, they’ll have to contest with Holy Trinity Catholic in the Substate 5 finals. The Wolves and Crusaders meet at Fairfield High School on Saturday night, with coverage on all KCII signals beginning at 6:30.