Aberdeen Central came up down the stretch to provide a lasting memory for its seniors on Friday night at Golden Eagles Arena.

Central edged Brookings 47-44 in an Eastern South Dakota Conference boys’ basketball game on senior night in a game that came down to the final minute.

The contest was tightly contested from start to finish, with the lead changing hands 11 times and the score tied six times. Neither team could create much separation, as both squads traded baskets and defensive stops throughout the night. In the end, it was Central that made the final plays to secure the three-point victory.

Senior Kalen Larson knocked down a 15-foot jumper to give the Eagles the lead with 45 seconds remaining.

“I kind of just blacked out, fell back onto practice shots and it went in,” Larson said about the go-ahead basket.

For Larson, the moment carried extra meaning on senior night.

“It means a lot,” Larson said. “A lot of memories with all the guys on this court.”

The Eagles’ defense sealed the win in the closing seconds. Senior Jack Bertsch came up with a crucial block in the final minute, preventing a potential Brookings basket and preserving Central’s narrow lead.

Central coach Colton McClemans praised his team’s effort, particularly the seniors who stepped up in pivotal moments.

“I’m really proud of our kids, especially our seniors,” McClemans said. “All three of our seniors really stepped up. Lincoln Stone starts the game for us and gets us some energy right away, Jack Bertsch makes a great play with a block, and Kalen Larson makes a 15-footer with 45 seconds to go.”

Brookings adjusted defensively in the second half, switching to a 1-3-1 zone to try to disrupt Central’s rhythm. McClemans was pleased with how his team handled the change.

“They switched to the 1-3-1 in the second half and a big focus with that is getting to the middle of the zone,” McClemans said. “I think one positive we saw today that we haven’t had in the past is when people have switched it up we have hesitated, but our kids did a good job of making plays and making the right decision.”

McClemans also highlighted the work ethic of his seniors when asked about Larson and Bertsch delivering in crunch time.

“They show up every day for practice and have always had a really good attitude and have worked extremely hard to get to where they are,” he said. “So, it’s awesome to see them rewarded for the work that they put in, especially on senior night.”

In a game that was filled with toughness and composure, the Eagles found a way when it mattered most, sending their seniors out with a memorable victory.

Luke Swanson led the Eagles with 21 points. Larson finished with seventh and Austin Ryan added six.

Central, 2-17 on the season, hosts Sioux Falls Roosevelt on Tuesday.

BROOKINGS (1-16): Jase Bauer 0 2-2 2, Gavin Anderson 1 0-0 2, Drew Johnson 2 0-0 5, Noah Lease 6 6-10 21, Bergan Tetzlaff 2 6-8 10, Hayden Jones 1 2-3 4. Totals 12 16-23 44.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (2-17): Lincoln Stone 1 0-0 2, Luke Swanson 6 8-9 21, Bryson Burgard 1 0-2 3, Kalen Larson 3 0-0 7, Jack Bertsch 1 0-0 2, Austin Ryan 2 1-1 6, Eli Franks 0 2-2 2, Gavin Hauck 1 2-2 4. Totals 15 13-16 47.

Brookings 9 21 33 44

Aberdeen Central 12 25 34 47

3-point field goals – Johnson, Lease; Swanson, Burgard, Larson, Ryan. Total fouls – Brookings 31; Aberdeen Central 22. Rebounds – Brookings 31 (Tetzlaff 6); Aberdeen Central 33 (Waldrop 6). Turnovers – Brookings 14; Aberdeen Central 10. Assists – Brookings 7 (Johnson 2); Aberdeen Central 7 (Swanson 3). Steals – Brookings 5; Aberdeen Central 7.