WEB CAST.
Again Friday night came down to a game of runs in the sectional finals as the Trojans traveled to New Hanover on Friday night looking to win their first sectional final since 1998. However, the Trojans couldn't pull it out as they lost 62-59 in overtime.
The game started off with New Hanover starting the game on a little spurt to take a early lead, however the Trojans answered right back as Stephon Drane scored six points in the first quarter, with Garner down two and four seconds left in the opening stanza, the Wildcats make a quick basket, but Garner point guard Emanuel McClain went coast to coast and hit a floater to end the fist stanza and pull the Trojans even at 12-12 as the first quarter came to an end.
After a first quarter plagued with team fouls, New Hanover had committed just two team fouls while Garner committed seven team fouls including the first technical foul of the season on Coach Eddie Gray.
But, despite the foul situation, the Trojans evened the game back up and even pulled ahead as Gavin Wilson scored eight second quarter points to give the Trojans a 26-23 lead at halftime.
The third quarter belonged to Garner as the Trojans were able to work the ball inside and get the New Hanover big guys in foul trouble. Another big key to the third stanza was the Trojans finally found their outside shooting.
After not making a three in the first half, Garner explode for four third quarter three point baskets including three of them by Gavin Wilson and one by Donald Johnson. As a result, Garner had a 47-42 lead after three.
That lead would grow to as many as eight points in the fourth quarter, but New Hanover refused to quit, even when both their star big guys fouled out in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats forced several Garner turnovers as the Trojans became timid with the ball on offense and allowed the Wildcats to tie the game.
With time running out in the fourth, New Hanover had a shot to win the game with a three from the corner, but the shot went begging and we were heading to overtime tied at 54.
Garner seemed to have the edge in the extra session, with both big guys out for New Hanover, however Garner had foul troubles of their own as Stephon Drane and Dominique Reed both had four fouls.
Garner did hit a the first basket in overtime to go up by two, but New Hanover would scored the next four points to take a two point lead. Garner was able to get a blocked shot by Wilson, but on his rebound, Gavin Wilson was called for a technical foul, to give the Wildcats two shots and the ball.
Freddie Jackson hit one of two of the technical shots to give New Hanover a four point lead. Garner made a defensive stand and came down court and got a three pointer to bank home from Donald Johnson.
On the ensuing inbound pass, the Trojans got a steal and had several close shots to take the lead, but the shot by Malcome Sloan went begging, and as Coach Gray beached the officials for a foul, Garner found themselves still down by one and had to foul.
New Hanover made both shots and took a three point lead with just four seconds left. Garner got the ball and the shot my Emanuel McClain went begging and the Trojans lost a thriller 62-59.
Garner (18-9) finishes the season with their second consecutive conference championship and the first sectional final appearance since James Mays played for the Blue and Gold.
New Hanover (20-7) will advance to the regionals in Greenville next Friday night.
Congratulations to Coach Gray and the Trojans for an outstanding season!
Scoring:
GARNER: G. Wilson 21, D. Johnson 16, S. Drane 10, D. Reed 7, E. McClain 5, D. Dorsey 1.
New Hanover: F. Jackson 21, C. Daley 14, D. Thames 12, M. Gibbs 7, D. Rodgers 5, J. Lewis 2.
Trojans Fall in Overtime to New Hanover
