Trojans upset by the Wildcats in GNRC Tournament

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Ben Jacobs torches the Trojans for 33 points and the Trojans frigid shooting dooms the top seed 65-63 in the semi-final of the GNRC Tournament. Garner shows no resemblance to the hot shooting they enjoyed during their eleven game win streak. Defensively the Trojans repeatedly force Wildcat miscues to the tune of 14 steals and 25 turnovers in all, but convert just 12 into scores. Garner finishes a pawltry 38% from the floor, on 23-of 59 shots. Jacobs rules the paint for the Wildcats, hitting 10-of-14 from the floor and 13-of-15 from the line and adds 12 rebounds for an impressive night. The Trojans are equally inept at the free throw line, hitting just 11-of-20 while the Wildcats convert 16-of-19 at the stripe. The Wildcat win sends them into the finals against Knightdale tomorrow night.

Despite the cold shooting, the Trojans still have a chance as they cut a ten point Wildcat lead to one with 1:41 to go. Two DaMetrius Upchurch free throws with just over a minute left gives Garner their first lead since the 2:14 mark of the first quarter. But Jacobs streaks the floor to score right back and regain a 63-62 Wildcat margin. Karl Agenor is tied up on a rebound (his eleventh rebound of the night) with the possession arrow in W.Johnston's favor. Upchurch comes up with Garner's 10th block of the night (to go with 11 steals) and Jacobs fouls him on the rebound. Hitting one of two, knots the game at 63 all with 19.6 seconds to go. On the ensuing possession, Jamal Barrett makes a great block on Jacobs, but DeOnte Anderson slips through the lane and lays in the follow for the winning score with 4.2 to go. Garner turns the ball over on their last chance to send W.Johnston into the finals. The Trojans will open NCHSAA 4A playoff action Monday night at home against an opponent to be determined:

	1	2	3	4	F
WJ	11	15	24	15	- 65
GAR	8	15	17	23	- 63

SCORING: Albert Smith 17 (4 steals, 3 blocks), DaMetrius Upchurch 14 (4 blocks), Cordero Hunter 13, Karl Agenor 6 (11 rebounds), Jamal Barrett 6 (6 assists), Carl Redd 5 (5 steals), Emile Agenor 2; WJO--B.Jacobs 33 (12 rebounds), M.Parker 16, S.Dance 6, J.McNeill 4, D.Anderson 4, M.Taylor 2;

(photos courtesy of Maria Stetson and kenhallphotography.com)


In game #1, Knightdale pulls away from Clayton 76-45 for the win, advancing to the finals to face the Wildcats. (The Knights defeated the Wildcats for the GNRC tournament title)

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