A buzzer-beating half-court three pointer in the final second of the third quarter and a 22-point rally that followed should have been enough to beat any team Tuesday night.

Any team but Lynden Christian.

In a Lyncs-Falcons matchup tighter than any during the past few years, the South Whidbey boys showed they could be playoff material in spite of a 62-53 loss to their northern rival. Playing in Erikson Gymnasium, the Falcons came close to avenging two lopsided losses to the Lyncs last season.

Tossing aside their playbook from the first three games of the year, South Whidbey relied on two of its most unassuming players to keep them in the game. With team scoring leader Tim Gabelein on the bench much of the night due to foul trouble, junior Josh Coleman and sophomore Nick Plastino combined for 26 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Falcons to their best all-around shooting night of the season.

Plastino, who tallied a double-double on the night, said he got into a groove during the game.

“I guess I just got a little more comfortable,” he said.

A 5-0 Falcon lead early in the first quarter gave South Whidbey fans a reason for the same kind of comfort. Gabelein started hot with a couple of field goals, while at the same time the Lyncs were slowed by several early fouls. Taking advantage of the Lyncs desire to keep their players off the bench, Coleman, Plastino, and junior guard Brandon Turner — who had nine points on the night — found more scoring opportunities than the Falcons had during their combined 141-64 losses to the Lyncs last season.

Though down 28-21 at the half, South Whidbey Coach Andy Davis said he was encouraged by his team’s play.

“Obviously, this is one of the better games we’ve played against them in recent years,” said Davis.

But that seven-point deficit and a 22-point night for Lynden Christian’s Paul Paul Hafford prevented the Falcons from getting any closer. Even so, the Falcon boys had a reason to believe when in the last second of the third quarter Turner closed the deficit to 40-32 on a half-court three pointer. The improbable shot brought the hometown crowd to its feet.

For Turner, the basket was his surest of the night.

“I knew it was going in,” he said.

The offenses for both teams opened up in the fourth quarter as the Falcons tallied 22 and the Lyncs 23. Davis was at a loss to explain the sudden scoring deluge.

“I’ve been in this game for years and I still don’t know why that happens,” he said.

He went on to say that if his team continues to perform at this level, they will be a match for any other team in the North Cascades Conference.

The boys play Tuesday at home against Nooksack Valley. Junior varsity and C-squads play at 5:15 p.m., and varsity action begins at 7.