Hunt’s Rodney Lovely (11) draws a second-half charge against Southern Wayne’s Chris Carmon. Carmon scored 11 points for the Saints, who pulled off a 57-52 win in overtime Tuesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Chris Carmon (1) eyes the basket as Hunt’s Drew Pittman (2) defends from behind during their opening-round game in the 2023 Quad County 3A basketball tournament Tuesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — Southern Wayne head boys’ basketball coach Brian West has preached the mantra “play consistent and finish the battle” all season.
It almost didn’t happen Tuesday evening.
Despite inconsistent play, the third-seeded Saints managed to survive their opening-round game in the 2023 Quad County 3A conference tournament.
They needed overtime to decide the outcome.
Senior TyQuavious Williams provided half of his team’s offense in the extra session and SW eliminated pesky-sixth-seeded Hunt, 57-52. The Saints (13-11 overall) continue play Thursday at QCC runner-up Charles B. Aycock. Tip-off is 6 p.m. at the Falcons’ Nest in Pikeville.
“My guys finished the battle and that’s all I can ask,” a relieved West said.
Each time Southern Wayne built a sizable lead, Hunt clawed back.
The Warriors’ resilience nearly broke the Saints’ will, too.
Down by 10 after three quarters, Hunt closed to within 44-42 that included 3-pointers from Drew Pittman and Isaiah Chadwick.
Chris Carmon’s layup off D’Untae Wright’s drive and dump capped a short 5-2 run with just over 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Warriors’ Austin Joyner drained two free throws, which trimmed the deficit to 49-46.
Over the next 87 seconds, each team missed offensive putback opportunities and clanged free throws off the iron. After the Saints missed a free throw, Hunt junior Alex Speight pulled down the rebound.
The Warriors burned a timeout with 9.1 seconds to go.
When play resumed, Pittman sank a 3-pointer from downtown Dudley that never touched the rim. The game-tying, hand-in-his-face shot set off a wild celebration on the visitors’ bench.
“In the timeout, I let them know it’s probably going to go to 2 (Pittman),” West said. “He drew up a perfect play and they executed what their coach asked.”
West reminded his team to attack the basket before overtime started.
“That was the overall game plan,” West said. “When a team is running the zone, get into the gaps, attack the rim [and] put it in the basket. If you attack it strong like a man, the refs are going to have to call something. If they don’t, then try to finish.”
Williams’ free throw put the Saints ahead 50-49.
Hemmed in on the baseline, Hunt junior Alex Speight appeared to lose control of the ball. He kept possession, drove to the basket and kissed a layup off the glass.
The Warriors had their first – and only – lead at 51-50.
Williams’ steal in the open court and offensive putback gave the Saints a 54-51 advantage with 93 seconds on the clock. Southern Wayne tallied three of the final four points to seal the deal.
E’lla Boykin collected 12 points for the Saints, who advanced to a tournament semifinal for the first time since 2019. Carmon contributed 11 points, while Armwood scored nine. Wright knocked down six points and Jylon Council chipped in five.
“Finishing the battle is one thing, but you have to play four consecutive quarters and you have to stay consistent,” West said. “If you’re going to be consistently bad, we’re probably going to get blown out. If you’re going to be consistently good, we’ve probably got a higher chance to win against any team.”
Aycock has won eight straight against the Saints.
