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BATESVILLE – There have been many great games in the heated boys basketball rivalry between East Central and Batesville.

Saturday night’s 65-63 thriller at the Dog Pound, won by the hosts, was proof positive why both teams clear their weekend schedules to concentrate on each other.

In an intense battle that saw EC lead nearly the entire first half, before falling back by 13 with 6:28 left, senior Payton Stonefield (19 points, 4-6 treys, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists) launched a runner from the 10-second line to win it as time expired.

“He shot it from right in front of our bench,” said EC coach David Disbro. “I thought it was in.”