Taken singularly, free throws can be an overlooked basketball statistic by some.

But their cumulative effect can tell a definitive story.

The Lone Tree boys’ basketball season ended suddenly on Friday night in a Class 1A preliminary round boys’ basketball substate playoff game, and the reason was no mystery to longtime Coach Tom Squiers.

“The key to the entire game was the fact that Cedar Valley made free throws and we didn’t,” Squiers said after the Lions lost in overtime, 53-45, to Cedar Valley Christian at Springville High School. “In a tight ball game... that right there was the difference in the basketball game.”

Lone Tree (2-17) converted just 11 of its 26 free throw attempts, including three of nine in a fourth quarter in which it led, 39-38, with five minutes left in regulation. The Lions visited the free throw line three more times in those final five regulation minutes, but managed just to add just a single point.

“We make free throws and it doesn’t go into overtime,” Squiers said. “That was the key.”

After a baseline drive and basket from Lone Tree junior Cade Shield gave the Lions a 42-41 lead with 45.7 seconds left in regulation, it appeared as if Lone Tree may escape with a victory despite its free throw struggles. But on the defensive end, CVC junior Joshua Jackson was able to drive to the basket and draw a foul. He made one of two free throw attempts to tie the game at 42-42 and force the extra frame.

The first minute and a half of overtime was a scoreless stalemate until CVC junior Gabe Werling drilled a long three-point basket on an attempt that CVC Coach John Grimm wanted him to pass up.

“At that particular time,” Grimm said with a laugh. “I give my players the freedom if that is their shot and you are open, take it in stride. That is just how I coach. At that particular moment, three feet back from the three-point line, I was a little nervous. And he hit it with confidence and the rest was history after that.”

Werling glanced at his coach before the successful heave and saw Grimm with his hands on his head.

“I have always said I am a Damien Lillard player type,” Werling said. “So I just thought I was just going to let it fly, ice in the veins. It is just what I have been doing.”

It was the first points in a 9-0 overtime burst for CVC (2-16), which clinched the contest by converting all eight of its free throw attempts in the extra period. The Huskies finished the game with 22 made free throws in 29 attempts.

“I think that loosened the guys up,” Grimm said of the Werling overtime basket. “After that, they just kind of loosened up and we just kind of went on our way. We hit our free throws. We have never hit free throws this whole season like that. We were just on.”

CVC advanced to Monday’s opening round substate game at No. 1 North Linn.

Junior Levi Telecky led all scorers with 17 points and also grabbed eight rebounds for CVC, while Jackson added 14 points and seven rebounds. Junior Drew Grimm chipped in 11 points.

Lone Tree junior Cade Shield led the Lions with 11 points and also posted five rebounds. Senior Alex Viner closed his prep career with eight points and five rebounds. Junior Cade Peterson accounted for seven points, while fellow junior Tyler Bell added five points and a game-high eight rebounds.

For Lone Tree, the loss punctuated the end of a frustrating season that never quite felt like it got off the ground. The Lions were tasked with replacing alll five starters from the 2019-20 team, but were only able to practice for a week before a switch to online learning halted team activities for two weeks.

Once the team was able to reconvene, its first game was only three days away.

“It just felt like practice, then interruption, then practice,” Squiers said. “It just never felt like we got into the flow.”

The Lions will lose four players, including starters in Aiden Forbes and Viner, to graduation, but will return the bulk of their scoring output in preparation for the 2021-22 season.

Squiers praised the work ethic of the group and knows that will be the necessary foundation if there is to be a significant bounceback season.

“Any time you are losing, it is tough to keep them working hard,” Squiers said. “That was the toughest part. But the one thing about these guys, they want to win. Hopefully they are going to put in some in the offseason and we will come back next year.”