In Andalusia Youth League basketball action on Thursday night, the Celtics battled back to force overtime and defeated the Rockets 23-18.

Christian Sheridan got the Rockets off to a hot start with 5 points in the opening period to give his team a 7-4 lead at the end of the first period. Landon Marshall accounted for the Rockets’ other points.

Kaden Denson had all 4 points for the Celtics in the opening period.

Both teams had trouble scoring against the stout defensive pressure, and at halftime the Rockets led 7-5.

Parker Cotton and Zytavis Wilson each knocked in 2 points to give the Rockets an 11-7 lead heading into the fourth period.

In the fourth period, Britt Cotton came up with a steal and after using a spin move at half court to get clear of a defender Britt found Sheridan streaking to the basket.

Sheridan was fouled on the play and hit 1-of-2 free throws to put the Rockets on top 13-11 with 2:59 left in regulation.

Moments later Denson hit a pair of free throws to tie the game 13-13.

The Rockets took the lead back when Sheridan dropped in a layup off a fast-break.

With time winding down and as the Rockets were bringing the rock up-court, Denson grabbed a steal and made a beeline to the basket.

Denson was fouled before he could shot, but on the inbound pass, Denson hit a jumper with 9 seconds left on the clock to tie the game 15-15.

Denson grabbed another steal on the Rockets’ inbound attempt, but his buzzer-beater 3-point attempt just missed the mark.

Marshall put the Rockets up 17-15 at the start of the overtime period.

The Celtics responded with a quick bucket from Dominick Sinkfield to tie the game back up.

Tristan Pitts then knocked down a pair of free throws to put the Celtics up 19-17.

Pitts followed with a layup to make it 21-17.

Denson then capped the Celtics scoring with a 2-for-2 trip to the free-throw line.

Sheridan led the Rockets with 8 points.

Denson led the Cetics with 14 points in the win.