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Southern Durham's Marcus Wells nails a three at the buzzer for an incredible 81-78 comeback win and end the Trojans play-off run. Garner fails to hold a huge lead, as much as 22 at one point as the Falcons bomb away from behind the arc en route to the Sectional Finals. Senior DaMetrius Upchurch comes up huge in his final game for the Trojans with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Garner had every thing going their way through the first half, building a 20 point lead with less than a minute to go to the break. After a first quarter that had the Trojans hitting 11-of-14 shots, it certainly looked like the poor shooting woes of the past two games were all but forgotten. Jamal Barrett dishes out assists like candy, en route to seven in the half, several to Upchurch who pockets 7-of-eight first half shots against the much smaller Falcon frontline. Upchurch adds four blocks as well, keeping S.Durham at just 27% shooting for the half. But the fouls began to mount, sending the Falcons to the line sixteen times and they hit thirteen.
Albert Smith hits one of two from the line to give Garner a 50-31 lead early in the third quarter. From there S.Durham goes on a 14-0 run. Garner has 12 turnovers in the third quarter alone, going nearly 4 minutes without hitting a shot from the floor. The lead narrows to just six after three quarters 60-54. In the final period, S.Durham continues a frenzied shooting streak that has them hitting 11 of sixteen from 3-point range for the game. But still Garner is in some control, with Emanuel McClain's tosses from the line putting Garner up 74-63. But another two minute drought has the Falcons narrowing the gap to 75-72. Barrett drives to the hoop and is fouled, hitting one of two for a four point lead. On the ensuing S.Durham possession, Upchurch appears to swat his seventh block of the night, but is called for his fifth and final foul instead. The disqualification is his first of the season and sends Geoff Hunter to the line where he hits both to cut the Garner lead to 76-74 with 1:26 left.
Karl Agenor is fouled quickly. He misses both shots but slips through the lane for his ninth rebound and scores to put Garner back up 78-74. Stacy Carroway blocks Reese Wiggins drive but again the refs see otherwise and Wiggins' two free throws narrows it to 78-76 with an even minute to go. A Garner turnover allows Wells to knot the game with 47 seconds left. Setting up for the final shot, Garner commits a backcourt violation giving the Falcons a last shot with 23 seconds to go. Milking the clock, two shots are off the mark but a Garner missed outlet with just 3 seconds sets up the miracle heave by Wells and end the Trojan season at 18-10.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| SD | 15 | 14 | 25 | 27 | - 81 |
| GAR | 25 | 22 | 13 | 18 | - 78 |
(pictures courtesy of Maria Stetson & kenhallphotography.com)
It is appropriate to recognize the terrific Senior Class of 2009 in this their final game. We wish these fine young men a hearty thank you for their service to the Trojans and congratulations on the GNRC Regular Season title:
Jamall Barrett, Eric Grissett, Cordero Hunter, DaMetrius Upchurch, Darius Hicks, Albert Smith, Emile Agenor, Karl Agenor & Carl Redd
2009 NCHSAA East bracket (updated in pdf)
Thank you Trojan Club supporter:
Ralph Smith, Your Transmission Physician