Storm Lake rallies from 17 down, edges Omaha Westside 99-97 in triple-overtime

The Storm Lake Tornadoes came back from as many as a 17-point deficit to defeat Omaha Westside 99-97 in a triple-overtime classic at the MLK Classic in Council Bluffs on Monday. The game featured a flurry of fourth-quarter drama, multiple late threes from Westside, and a decisive blocked shot in the third overtime that sealed a hard-fought regional victory for Storm Lake.

Storm Lake erased the early hole with a series of runs that tightened the contest before the fourth quarter produced eight lead changes and regulation ended in a tie. Westside’s London Dada sank late 3-pointers that forced both the first and second overtimes, but the Tornadoes kept answering. In the third overtime Storm Lake held a 99-97 advantage and, when Westside had a chance to tie or win, Storm Lake recorded a key block and recovered the loose ball to preserve the victory.

Statistically the night was dominated by Storm Lake’s offense. Jaidyn Coon led all scorers with 37 points on 12-of-21 shooting. Cam Boyd added 25 points, and Trey Boettcher drained five 3-pointers. Garbieno Weno finished with 14 points and David William contributed eight. Emre Gedik paced Westside with 22 points. The win improved Storm Lake’s record and the team was scheduled to play again the next night at Spirit Lake, testing endurance and depth after a marathon game.

For Buena Vista County, the result is more than a notch in the win column. Close, dramatic games like this bind communities around school gyms and local traditions, directing attention to youth activity and neighborhood identity. High-intensity contests also spotlight the roles of athletic trainers, coaches and school health staff in managing player recovery after extended play. Back-to-back scheduling and overtime minutes increase physical demands on student-athletes, making attention to rest, hydration and monitoring for head injuries a practical priority for programs and families.

The victory should buoy local support as the Tornadoes travel to Spirit Lake, offering momentum for league play and weekend crowds. It also reinforces the value of investment in school athletics as a safe outlet for youth in Buena Vista County and a source of collective pride for small-town fans. As Storm Lake moves forward, the community will watch whether this emotional, exhausting win translates into sustained performance and whether coaches balance competitive ambition with player health during a busy stretch of the season.