The Cavaliers fought off a stubborn Webster squad 41-40 at Roncalli Gym to stay in the chase for the Northeast Conference boys' basketball championship.
Roncalli improved to 7-1 in the NEC and plays league-leader Clark-Willow Lake on Friday with a shot at the crown.
First, Roncalli had to dispatch of the Bearcats.
"You have to give them credit," said Roncalli coach Todd Neuendorf. "They battled hard."
While Webster never led after the first five minutes, the visitors hung tough and had several chances down the stretch.
Trailing 40-38, the Bearcats missed two shots on two straight possessions, and after a Roncalli free-throw pushed the lead to three, Webster missed a game-tying three-pointer in the closing seconds before putting in an offensive rebound at the buzzer for the final margin of difference.
"I give credit to our guys, to their guys. What a great ball game," said Webster coach Ken Wright. "Both teams got after it hard."
Roncalli had chances to take control several times in the game, but could not get the separation it desired.
"I thought we let them off the hook up eight in the first half," Neuendorf said. "Then we had them here (in the third quarter by seven) and we missed seven shots in a row. We can't do that. We have to put teams away."
The Cavaliers also had an eight-point cushion in the final period and it turned out to be just enough of a lead.
Neuendorf would like to see his team play with the same intensity each time it steps on the floor.
"We're playing at different levels," Neuendorf said. "We have to play at the same level, every night, every possession."
A key in the contest was the defensive effort by Kendal Deutsch on Webster sharp-shooter Connor Spindler.
"I was on Spindler. I had no help responsibility," Deutsch explained. "All the other guys helped a lot. Every guy on the team helped, so that was huge."
Spindler, who has gone off for monster games this season, hit a three-pointer to start the game and then did not score again as Deutsch was all over him on defense.
"Just be quick on your feet and be ready to move," Deutsch said of his defensive strategy.
Deutsch said playing that kind of defense takes a toll.
"It's a lot of work," the senior said. "We all worked hard. It was a good team effort."
Zach Andera led a balanced Roncalli attack with nine points. Kory Schwan added eight, Dominic King had seven and Deutsch finished with six.
Andy Rithmiller and Reid Valsvig each tossed in 10 points to power Webster.
Wright said his team should gain confidence from its effort against the Cavaliers.
"We just took a team that's honorable mention in the ratings down to the wire on their court," Wright said. "Hopefully, we can use that momentum on into the districts."
Roncalli, 14-3, is scheduled to face Viborg-Hurley at 6:30 tonight in the DWU Classic at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, weather permitting.
The Cavaliers have now also set up a meaningful showdown against Clark-Willow Lake on Friday.
"We control our own destiny now," Neuendorf said. "We go to Clark and get a win, we get the conference. We don't get a win, nothing."
CWL has already clinched a share of the title, and Roncalli wants a share as well.
"Whether you share it or not, it goes up on that banner," Neuendorf said of the banners designating NEC titles inside Roncalli Gym. "Right now, that's probably our most important basketball game."
WEBSTER: Brady Bury 3 0-0 7, Andy Rithmiller 4 2-4 10, Spencer Lux 1 2-2 4, Reid Valsvig 3 3-3 10, Connor Spindler 1 0-0 3, Aaron Sattler 1 2-2 4, Chandler Holland 1 0-0 2. Totals 14-42 9-11 40.
ABERDEEN RONCALLI: Kory Schwan 3 0-0 8, Zach Andera 3 3-5 9, Dominic King 3 1-2 7, Kendal Deutsch 3 0-0 6, Brayden McNeary 1 0-0 2, Lucas Lorenz 1 2-5 4, Spencer Schaefbauer 1 0-0 3, Greg Zens 1 0-1 2. Totals 16-42 6-13 41.
Webster (6-9) 11 25 27 40
Aberdeen Roncalli (14-3) 14 26 33 41
3-point field goals - Bury, Valsvig, Spindler, Schwan 2, Schaefbauer. Total fouls - Webster 12; Aberdeen Roncalli 16. Rebounds - Webster 23 (Rithmiller 10); Aberdeen Roncalli 27 (King 8). Turnovers - Webster 5; Aberdeen Roncalli 16. Assists - Webster 8; Aberdeen Roncalli 6 (Deutsch 4). Steals - Webster 6; Aberdeen Roncalli 3. JV Game - Aberdeen Roncalli 55-43. Officials - Travis Kurth, Darin Vetch and Tom Waage.