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Via a big 4th quarter, Terry Sanford gets another chance at a state title
Saturday March 6, 2010
If you just happened upon Minges Coliseum on the campus of East Carolina on Saturday and did not know a trip to the NCHSAA state championship was on the line, it would not be difficult to figure a few things quickly. The two teams on the floor (Riverside and Terry Sanford) are well coached, disciplined squads and something big was on the line.
Thru the first three quarters, neither squad could get any separation in a low scoring contest. The game was tied 19-19 at the half and Terry Sanford led 26-25 heading into the 4th.
As they have all year, Riverside showed some zone defense that was effective, but later chose to go to man to man. The Terry Sanford Bulldogs’ MO is hardnosed man to man almost exclusively. It was that tough defense that helped sustain a 4th quarter run that would ultimately decide the game.
Terry Sanford began the final period with a 6-1 outburt, where they got into a rhythm. The afore mentioned defense caused some Riverside turnovers and it seems the Bulldogs were scoring on every possession. The Pirates did not help themselves by missing free throws when they still had time to come back.
With about three and half minutes remaining the Pirates found themselves in unfamiliar territory, down by 10 and forced to employ a fullcourt press. In a two and a half minute stretch Riverside showed their grit as David Mayer hit a couple of three-pointers and Tim Raven converted a plus one free throw, to bring the Pirates to within 6, with just over a minute left.
After leaving the door cracked with some missed free throws, Terry Sanford guard Kelvin Okons closed things out by converting a couple from the line, with just 31.6 remaining. A 25 point 4th quarter gives Terry Sanford a 51-44 victory and a chance to bring a state championship to Fayetteville.
TJ Warren was an all tournament selection and led the Pirates in scoring and rebounding Saturday, with 14 and 8 respectively. David Mayer added 9 points and Sean Deniton put in 8 points. Chris Wilson and Brandon Brown each had 14 points for the Bulldogs.
Terry Sanford will face the Lake Norman Wildcats on Saturday March 13th at 7:30pm in Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of NC State University. Last season the Bulldogs fell short in the championship game to Winston-Salem Mount Tabor.
Notes: 46% of the total points scored in this game were in the 4th quarter. Both teams shot less than 30% from the behind the arc. Riverside’s largest lead was by two points. In a bizarre scene after the game, Robert Carpenter of Terry Sanford was awarded Regional MVP, much to the ire of Bulldog faithful, who thought Chris Wilson should have been MVP and I agree.
Regional All-Tournament Team
TJ Warren-Riverside
Donzell Hill-Millbrook
Jordan Vann-Terry Sanford
Sean Deniton-Riverside
Freddy Jackson-New Hanover
Chris Wilson-Terry Sanford
MVP-Robert Carpenter
Kerry Smith
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