Tamaqua boys basketball coach Jim Barron always has nice things to say about sophomore point guard Thad Zuber.

In fact, after the Raiders game against Panther Valley on Tuesday, Barron referred to Zuber as the "definition of tough."Zuber backed up his coach's statement against the Panthers, scoring 19 points, including five crucial points in the second overtime period to help the Raiders to a 67-65 Schuylkill League Division 1 victory.The play of the night didn't come from Zuber's ability to score, but rather his ability to see the floor with just six seconds remaining in the second overtime.With the game tied at 65-65, Zuber received the inbounds pass along the right sideline on the Panthers' half of the court. The sophomore weaved his way through traffic, got to the middle of the lane and dished the ball perfectly to senior forward Joe Berezwick on the right block. Berezwick finished the play with a basket as time expired to give the Raiders their first "W" of the season."This is our second overtime game in a row, so I think that helped our kids play confident late in the game," said Barron. "We kept clawing and we were able to take advantage of opportunities down the stretch to come away with the win."Panther Valley (1-5) got out to a good start in the first quarter. It was clear the Raiders didn't have an answer for PV big man Tristan Blasko. Blasko scored 14 points in the first quarter, including the first nine points of the game for the Panthers. Blasko's play in the first helped the Panthers lead 22-18 after one.But after his big first quarter, Blasko scored just five points the rest of the game, including no points in the overtime periods."Give credit to Tamaqua because they did a better job guarding the post after the first quarter," said Panther Valley coach Pat Crampsie. "I think we have to do a better job of setting screens down there and I also think we need to be more active. At times on offense we got a little too relaxed and that can happen."Tamaqua (1-4) had a strong second quarter to grab the halftime lead. But after both teams excelled offensively in the opening half, the third and fourth quarters saw the defenses dominate .Two Zuber free throws tied the game at 54-54 all late in the fourth. The Panthers were able to get off about four shots at the end of regulation with about 15 seconds left on the clock, but couldn't convert.The first overtime was much of the same offensively as the teams combined for just four points.However, there was enough action in the second overtime to last a lifetime.Panther Valley had a three-point advantage twice in the frame. But Zuber scored five points in about a 30-second span to give Tamaqua a 65-63 lead. PV point guard Rene Figueroa knotted things up after a hanging left handed scoop with just six seconds remaining. Zuber then made the play and pass to win the game.SHOOTING STARS ... Zuber wasn't the only Tamaqua guard to put together a solid effort on the night. Tamaqua senior Russell Blaker scored 17 points, including four three-pointers. The trifecta line was huge for the Raiders in the game as they hit nine from the outside. In addition, the Raiders' Zeke Wassell was his team's offensive catalyst in the first half, scoring 12 of his 15 points.FIGHTING FIGUEROA ... All it takes is one look to realize that Panther Valley freshman Rene Figueroa is a fighter. He proved that against the Raiders, scoring a game-high 23 points, including 15 points in the fourth quarter and two overtime periods.FREE IS FOR ME ... Tamaqua certainly took advantage of the free throw line. They were an exceptional 16-for-20 (80 percent) from the charity stripe. Zuber was an impressive 9-for-9 in the ball game from the foul line.TAMAQUABlaker 5-3-5-17, Wassell 6-1-2-15, Kurek 2-1-2-5, Zuber 4-9-9-19, Scott 2-0-0-5, Wargula 0-0-0-0, Gregoire 0-0-0-0, Berezwick 1-2-2-4, Bates 1-0-0-2. Totals: 21-16-20-67.PANTHER VY.Figueroa 9-2-3-23, Stanko 0-0-0-0, Micholik 2-0-0-5, Miller 4-0-0-8, Hudicka 4-1-2-10, Blasko 8-3-5-19, Emmert 0-0-0-0, Morgans 0-0-0-0. 27-6-10-65.Tamaqua 18 21 6 9 2 9 - 67Panther Vy. 22 13 5 14 2 7 - 65Three-pointers: Tamaqua - Blaker - 4, Wassell 2, Zuber 2, Scott 1. Panther Valley - Figueora 3, Micholik 1, Hudicka 1.