The Glenvar basketball team is being put to the test this week with four games in five days. In addition to that, several players have caught the flu bug.

So, what’s the one thing you don’t need? How about overtime?

The Highlanders opened their big week with not one, but two overtime games on Monday and Tuesday. They lost Monday’s game to visiting Staunton River in double overtime, but battled back to win Tuesday’s game against James River, which was also at home, in one OT.

“Tuesday’s game was so, so important,” said Redding. “Not just for the standings, but to show they were mentally tough. It would have been so easy to say, ‘not again,’ but they continued to fight and pulled out the win.”

Monday’s game was a barnburner. Glenvar trailed 25-23 at the half and 42-39 after three quarters, pulling even at 53-53 at the end of regulation. Both teams scored five points in the first overtime but Staunton River got up quickly in the second four minute extra period and won the game, 71-63. Logan Williams led Glenvar with 16 points, Noah Duncan had 11 despite being sick and  Noah Lovelace had 10 points.

James River also played an overtime game Monday, losing to Giles, so both teams were running on fumes for Tuesday’s big Three Rivers District matchup. What’s more, Glenvar’s Jeb Secrist was out sick, and during the game the Highlanders’ other two big men, Landry Gerbers and Noah Lovelace, both got in foul trouble and eventually fouled out.

Redding had to turn to his bench and use some players who don’t normally see a lot of time. Juniors Riley DeRolf and Ryan Wilkes filled in for the “bigs” and battled River’s leading scorer, center Darious Cheatwood. The River big man finished with 31 points but had to earn every one.

The game was tied 29-29 at the half. Glenvar jumped to a seven point lead after three periods, but missed free throws and a technical foul allowed the Knights to get back in the game and tie it at 63-63. Cheatwood had a layup on an inbounds pass with two seconds on the clock, but he bricked it to send the game into overtime.

Glenvar took control in the overtime period, outscoring the Knights 19-7 for an 82-70 win. Glenvar shot 20 free throws in the extra period, making 17, as River continued to foul to try and get back in the game.

“We missed four big free throws in the fourth quarter to let them back in it, but we made them in the overtime,” said Redding.

Williams had 23 to lead Glenvar again and Duncan had 19 points for the Highlanders.

The Highanders are now 11-5 on the season. Monday’s loss snapped a seven game winning streak, which included a 75-60 win at Carroll County last Friday. Duncan had 19 and Lovelace had 18 to lead Glenvar.

A busy schedule continues tonight with a home game against Alleghany, followed by a trip to Radford on Friday. The Bobcats are 15-0 and this will be the first matchup between the two district rivals.

“They’re good, but we can beat them if we play our game,” said Redding.