Tensions tend to run high in late season rivalry games. That's especially the case when the two teams involved are equal in talent level.

In Tuesday night's Schuylkill League Division 1 matchup between Jim Thorpe and Lehighton, tension was definitely evident along with physicality and emotion.After what felt like an old school Schuylkill League basketball battle, it was the Olympians (10-6) who were able to make the plays down the stretch to come away with a 44-42 victory over the Indians (11-5).From the beginning, this one was a slugfest.Both the Olympians and Tribe started out with offensive runs. JT opened with a 5-0 run in the first, while the Indians then bounced back with a 6-0 run of their own.After a back-and-forth exchange, Thorpe held a one-point lead at the end of one.The second quarter was much of the same for both teams. The Olympians started to build momentum in the second with another mini run, extending their lead to seven at the 5:30 mark. But the Tribe, much like they did all night, battled back, evening the score at 19-all with three minutes remaining.The Olympians were able to edge out Lehighton in the frame, leading by three, heading into intermission. A big moment in the game, which gave JT energy heading into half was a charge taken by Jordan McElmoyle on Lehighton guard Andre McDowell. It was one of many physical moments in the game, but in this instance it set the tone for a strong Jim Thorpe run to start the third."I think this is the first time this season where everybody on our team played tough," said Jim Thorpe head coach Jason McElmoyle. "I'm really proud of our effort tonight. We did all the little things you have to do to win games like this, like crashing the boards, getting on the floor for loose balls, and playing strong defense."The Olympians opened up the third with another run, this time extending their lead to nine points. Chris Micciche was strong off the bench, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the first three quarters.A 13-7 spurt in the third gave JT a 36-27 advantage at the end of three. But it was almost certain that the Indians had some gas left in the tank and in the fourth they certainly showed that.Thorpe's lead dwindled to one at the six minute mark in the fourth and from then on it was a bucket-for-bucket battle to the finish. The game-changing moment of the ballgame came with about four minutes left in the fourth.Lehighton's Nick Chambers committed his fifth foul during the Indians' full-court pressure, changing the dynamic of the Tribe's scoring attack. Chambers collected 15 points and was a force on the boards before that.After the game was knotted up at 40-40 with 3:26 remaining, a Carroll free throw gave Jim Thorpe a one-point lead. On the following possession, Hunter Greene converted two foul shots to sway the game in the Tribe's favor.Rayan Green then put JT up for good with a strong move to the right side of the basket with just under two minutes left. Hunter Greene had a good look from three to win the ballgame as time expired, but it came up a bit short."This is a huge win for us, and it tested our toughness," said McElmoyle. "We battled all night and we have a lot of tough, physical teams left to play. I think this is a huge confidence builder for us to finish the season strong."Lehighton head coach Rich Oertner's lone comment after the game was, "It was a very dirty game and the officials let it get out of hand."REBOUND HOUND... Olympians had an edge in rebounding with 6-6 senior Green pulling down 11.LEHIGHTONTroxell 0-0-0-0, McDowell 1-0-0-2, Crum 0-1-2-1, Zwetolitz 1-0-2-3, Mele 4-2-2-11, Chambers 6-3-7-15, Greene 3-2-5-10. Totals: 15-8-18-42.JIM THORPECarroll 3-4-6-11, Elmore 3-1-2-7, Micciche 5-2-4-13, Jefferson 1-0-0-2, Green 3-3-6-9, Lauer 0-0-0-0, McElmoyle 1-0-0-2. Totals: 13-7-12-44.Lehighton 11 9 7 15 - 42Jim Thorpe 12 11 13 8 - 44Three-pointers: Lehighton - Greene 2, Mele 1, Zwetolitz 1. Jim Thorpe - Carroll 1, Micciche 1.