Bellarmine Sophomore Dedicates Winning Free Throws to Classmate Who Died

San Jose Mercury News ^ | February 4, 2017 | Darren Sabedra

[nickcarraway]

Kiran Kruse’s free throws with 1.2 seconds left beat St. Francis in OT, keep Bells unbeaten in WCAL

In one of the loudest gyms he said he’d ever played in, on the home court of his school’s archrival, Bellarmine College Prep’s Kiran Kruse stepped to the free-throw line with 1.2 seconds left in overtime Saturday night and the score tied.

But all the sophomore could think about was his friend, beloved classmate Daniel Cole, who passed away in his sleep during the week from causes still not known.

“I really just wanted to knock those free throws down, get this win for him, because I know he loved basketball and loved watching sports,” Kruse said. “Really means a lot to me and a lot to this school.”

Kruse made both free throws as Bellarmine remained undefeated in the West Catholic Athletic League with a highly-charged 58-56 victory over St. Francis before a sold-out crowd that roared from start to finish.

It was an emotional ending in an emotional week for the WCAL leaders.

Bellarmine sophomore Kiran Kruse makes both free throws with 1.2 seconds left in overtime to beat St. Francis 58-56 on Saturday night. Bellarmine sophomore Kiran Kruse makes both free throws with 1.2 seconds left in overtime to beat St. Francis 58-56 on Saturday night. Darren Sabedra/staff “I was tearing up thinking how special special is it that the one sophomore on our team has the free throws to win this rivalry game when his classmate four days earlier passes away,” Bellarmine coach Patrick Schneider said. “I just thought there was some greater presence there with it being Kiran shooting.”

[Svartalfiar]

Something most kids don’t understand - practicing your free throws is generally the difference between winning and losing in those age groups.