WEB CAST.
In a game with so many upperclassmen stars, it was a Freshman who made the difference for Garner on Thursday night in the semi-finals of the HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational. Julius Barnes scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter including a late three to lift the Trojans past Kinston 69-65.
Garner (9-1) couldn't get anything going in the first half as they trailed 19-9 after the first quarter and 36-29 at the break thanks to a big opening half from Denzel Keyes of Kinston (9-3) as he poured in 16 of his game high 24 points in the first.
The Trojans clawed their way back the entire third quarter but had nothing to show for it as they trailed 46-41 after three.
But, in the fourth, it was the freshman, Barnes, who rose to the occasion as he buried a three from the wing to knot the score. Once the Trojans tied the game, it was a senior leader, Gavin Wilson, who drove the baseline and laid it in to give Garner their first lead of the game at 52-51 with 5:09 left.
Like good teams do, Kinston refused to die and kept the game close before building a three point, 60-57 lead with 2:38 left. Once again, Barnes did the work for Garner knocking down two three's down the stretch.
With the game on the line and less than a minute to play, the freshman stepped to the line and calmly knocked down a pair of free throws to give Garner a three point lead.
Kinston had once last chance to tie the game with under 10 seconds left but a three pointer from Adnrew Lopez was blocked by Josh McClain as he perserved the 69-65 victory for Garner.
The Trojans advance to the championship game tomorrow night for the first time since 1998 as they will face St. Raymond out of the Bronx, New York. Tip-off from Broughton's Holliday Gymnasium is slated for 7:20.
JV Boys Win Championship
Coach Bloms and his JV Trojans continued their winning ways as they knocked off Athens Drive 77-69 to win the Athens Drive JV Tournament.
The JV Trojans are back in action on Tuesday night at 5:15 when they host West Johnston.
Trojans rally past Kinston; advance to Championship
