Four minutes stood between the Issaquah Eagles and Skyline Spartans in their quest to reach the Class 4A KingCo championship game.

Skyline went on a 9-0 run to close out the fourth quarter, tying the game at 55-55 at the end of regulation. Issaquah (18-4) shook off Skyline’s run and momentum in the four-minute overtime session, grinding out a 66-59 victory against Skyline (11-11) on Feb. 14 in the Class 4A KingCo semifinals at Redmond High School.

Issaquah outscored Skyline 11-4 in the overtime period. Eagles guard Jason Crandall, who finished with 18 points, wasn’t surprised to see his team get back on the track after faltering in the fourth quarter.

“We just knew it when we came over to the sideline before overtime. We knew we were the better team. That is what our mentality was. Never for a second did I think we were going to lose the game,” Crandall said. “We were going to prove a point and win it in overtime.”

Skyline’s rally in the fourth quarter to force overtime was epic. Trailing 55-53 as the final seconds trickled off the clock Skyline sharpshooter Robert Biegaj hoisted a three-pointer toward the basket in an attempt to win the game. The ball never reached the hoop but Skyline center Braden Ahlemeyer was there for the layup, tying the game as time expired. Issaquah head coach Jason Griffith said he knew there was no way his team would lose after looking into the eyes of his players before they took the floor for the overtime period.

“In my 15 years of coaching it was the most impressive thing I have seen from a team going into overtime. Every single one of those guys in the huddle looked at each other and said we’re not losing this game,” Griffith said. “The look on their faces, as coaches we knew we were not going to lose.”

Crandall will never forget seeing the Issaquah High School student body rush the court following the biggest win of the 2014-15 season to date.

“This is the best feeling in the world. These fans have all this passion. Even more important than beating our rival is that we are one win away from the final 16 teams in the state. I think about that every single day and when I do I

get excited,” Crandall said. “This is what you dream about when you’re a kid. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Skyline head coach Bill McIntyre said the game-plan was to make someone other than Issaquah senior guard Ty Gibson beat them.

“Our defense had seemingly worked pretty well. Especially in the fourth quarter. We felt like we controlled Ty (Gibson) pretty well. The other guys on the team were the ones that scored in overtime so you have got to give Issaquah credit,” McIntyre said. “We were determined to take Ty out of the game and they were determined to take Robert (Biegaj) out of the game. It kind of turned into a 4-on-4 game. We lost a four-minute game. It is tough to swallow but we’ve got to be able to move on.”

The Eagles faced the Woodinville Falcons in the Class 4A KingCo championship game on Feb. 19. Results were available after the Reporter’s deadline.