The Emmaus boys basketball team won the game of the year on Friday night at William Allen High School.

The Green Hornets needed three overtimes to finally put the Canaries away, 56-54, and keep themselves in contention for the LVC playoffs.

This was one of those games you had to see to believe. Playoff hopes were on the line, and close games are something head coach Steve Yoder says he's prepared his bunch for all season.

"We've talked since summer time about the fact that this season was going to be all about playing in close games," said Yoder. "We have had so many close games, so I think at this point in the season the kids are very comfortable with these moments."

The moments Yoder was talking about were on display Friday night. Up by just two points heading into the fourth quarter, the Green Hornets relied on defense and timely buckets from juniors Joe Nicolini and Nate Feiertag. Emmaus (10-9, 8-4 LVC) was able to stave off a furious rally late by the Canaries (9-10, 4-6 LVC).

Allen led by four points with four minutes to play, but Emmaus battled back to tie the game at 36 and sent it to overtime. The Green Hornets came up big on both ends of the floor in those final four minutes, and looked poised and ready for the challenge.

"We're a bunch of tough kids," said Feiertag, who scored 9 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and overtime periods. "We don't like to sulk or get down, we like to play hard and finish the game."

Finish they did. Nicolini played the entire fourth quarter and overtimes with four fouls, but remained one of Emmaus' most aggressive offensive and defensive players.

As for the rest of the Green Hornets, they were lead by the timely three point shooting of senior Derek Tannous, who scored a team high 15 points, including three buckets from beyond the arc.

"It's a big game for us at Allen, just a good win for us overall," said Tannous.

The Canaries would not go away, having a chance to tie or win the game on their last possession of the fourth quarter and all three overtimes. But the Green Hornets were more than up for the challenge.

In the waning seconds of overtime number two, Allen freshman Zay Jennings hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer which sent the game into a third overtime, and the crowd at J. Milo Sewards Gymnasium into hysteria.

One might think this would dishearten a team that could have iced the game with just one more foul shot, but Yoder said it was the exact opposite in the Emmaus huddle.

"I was smiling," said Yoder. "Basically I said, 'That's about right.' I said, 'I thought I told you guys to foul in the back court."

The comment loosened the tension and got a few laughs out of his team.

"When we got into overtime we were all disappointed that we let it get this far," added Yoder. "But then we all kinda smiled and said let's have fun with it. It's high school basketball and when we find a way to win we'll be talking about it when we're old men."

This win was more than just a gut check in terms of big moments, it keeps LVC playoff hope alive for the already District 11 playoff-bound Green Hornets.

"We're still trying to squeeze out an LVC playoff berth, so it was a big win for us," said Derek Tannous. "We didn't play real well at the beginning, but at the end we were able to pull through."

With both Easton and Freedom winning Friday night, the Green Hornets kept pace for the fourth and final LVC playoff spot by topping Allen.

"It's a big win because it keeps LVC hopes alive number one, and number two, we want to have momentum going into districts," said Yoder. "From a coaching standpoint I think it's significant."

Emmaus closes out league play this week with a home game against Dieruff Tuesday and a huge regular season-ending clash with Central Catholic. The Green Hornets must win, and hope for losses by either Easton or Freedom in order to make the league playoffs.