GROTON – The postseason for boys’ basketball teams doesn’t officially start until next week, but it was hard to tell that inside the Groton gym Friday night.

Top-rated Aberdeen Christian scored a whopping 17 points in overtime to finally subdue Groton 64-60 in a non-conference game that featured an electric atmosphere which will likely be present from here on out.

“We wanted to go into the game with kind of that do-or-die mentally, because that’s what it is Tuesday night,” said Christian coach Matt Rohrbach of when most regions begin. “The atmosphere, the crowd, it felt like a region, state game. We couldn’t have asked for more, because reality is, we’re playing those here coming up.”

The two teams have had some classic late-season games the past few seasons and those battles are by design.

“It’s why we like playing this game the last game of the year,” said Groton coach Brian Dolan. “It sets us both up to be successful in the postseason.”

It was Malek Wieker who went off in the extra session, scoring a dozen points in the four-minute period, almost matching his total through regulation.

After a three-point first-half, Wieker received a bit of motivation from Rohrbach at the break.

“He’s always been there for me and I can’t thank him enough for that,” Wieker said, “for always staying on me, when I’m not doing my best or I’m not doing my job.”

It was just a matter of time before Wieker went off and it started late in the third quarter with back-to-back baskets. Soon, the senior point guard found his rhythm and that spelled trouble for the Tigers.

Dolan noted that once a shooter sees a shot or two go in, it can often lead to many more.

“That’s kind of what happened,” Dolan said. “You have to tip your cap to him. He made tough shots. I thought he earned most of his points.”

Both sides appeared to be in good shape at various stages. Groton owned a 10-point lead early in the third quarter only to have the Knights battle back. The Tigers were clinging to a small lead when team leader Lane Tietz fouled out with 3:29 left in regulation.

However, Groton hung tough and led by three in the closing moments of the fourth quarter before Ethan Russell nailed a three-point field goal with nine seconds remaining to tie the game.

“We ran a couple of plays for Malek and Jackson (Isakon) and it was Ethan’s turn,” Rohrbach said. “We got him on a little pin-down there and just a big-time shot. He had a great game and man, what a shot.”

Once the game went to overtime, it was Christian who looked to have the upper hand opening a 57-48 advantage with 1:24 left. Groton never blinked, though, making one big shot after another including a pair of treys from Cole Simon and Ryder Johnson to stay within striking distance.

“Something that we need to do a little better job of is blocking out shooters,” Rohrbach said. “They got a couple of extra chances and credit to the kids, they knocked 3-pointers down there in the last minute or so.”

The Tigers were forced to foul down the stretch and Wieker made them pay, making 5-of-6 free throws in the last 54 seconds to help secure the victory.

Wieker finished with 27 points to lead Christian. Russell added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Isakson contributed 16 points, including a 3-pointer to start overtime, and also had a key block on a last-second shot attempt on the final play of regulation.

Jacob Zak paced the Tigers with 19 points. Tate Larson contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman Ryder Johnson put in 12 points off the bench.

Groton concluded the regular season at 14-5.

“I’m proud of our kids. We competed,” Dolan said. “You’re never happy when you lose, but we had two freshmen out there the last half of the fourth quarter and the whole overtime.”

The Knights concluded the regular season with an 18-2 record and now have some momentum heading into the postseason.

“You never want, as a competitor, to lose a game,” Rohrbach said. “It’s always nice to go into that first round with a win and kind of that confident emotion that comes with it.”

Friday’s victory was a fitting finish to the 20-game schedule as the team prepares for the playoffs.

“First off just an amazing regular season by all my guys,” Wieker said. “Senior year, just take it all in because this is the last go around. Going 18-2 is quite special and not losing to a B team during the regular season.”

The Knights have bigger goals ahead and that journey begins on Tuesday night with the start of the postseason.

“It’s do or die. It’s win or go home,” Wieker said, “so now we need to focus in on practice and be ready to go for whatever lies ahead.”

ABERDEEEN CHRISTIAN (18-2): Andrew Brennan 1 0-0 2, Jackson Isakson 6 2-3 16, Ethan Russell 7 4-4 19, Malek Wieker 8 7-10 27, Kaden Clark 0 0-2 0. Totals 22 13-19 64.

GROTON (14-5): Lane Tietz 2 0-0 5, Cole Simon3 2-4 10, Jacob Zak 7 5-6 19, Tate Larson 6 2-5 14, Ryder Johnson 4 2-3 12. Totals 22 11-18 60.

Aberdeen Christian 6 20 33 47 64

Groton 7 24 37 47 60

3-point field goals – Isakson 2, Russell, Wieker 4; Tietz, Simon 2, Johnson 2. Fouled out – Tietz. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 21; Groton 16. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 36 (Russell 13); Groton 25 (Larson 10). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 11; Groton 8. Assists – Aberdeen Christian 9 (Clark 5); Groton 11 (Tietz 5). Blocked shots – Aberdeen Christian 4 (Clark 3); Groton 0. Steals – Aberdeen Christian 8 (Isakson 3, Wieker 3); Groton 4 (Larson 3).