BATAVIA – Just four days after a crucial missed free throw proved costly in Sunday’s loss to Waukegan, St. Charles North junior Alec Goetz again toed the free-throw line with a game teetering in the balance.

With his North Stars clinging to a one-point lead in the final minute, Goetz was fouled for a one-and-one with 41 seconds left. This time, Goetz converted both to give his team a bit of breathing room, and teammate Quinten Payne followed by sinking four more free throws in the final 23 seconds as the North Stars knocked off Batavia on Thursday, 44-37, for an Upstate Eight Conference River victory.

Goetz acknowledged thoughts of North’s one-point loss to Waukegan swirled in his head when it was time to go to the line.