Wild finish: Technical foul helps Cookeville top WCHS
Lakenneth Lonta Clarida
Lakenneth Lonta Clarida
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Playing host to Cookeville at the Charlie Dalton Gym, Warren County was assessed a technical foul with 4.3 seconds to play when a spectator threw a souvenir basketball across the court. Cookeville was awarded two free throws, hitting one, and given possession of the ball allowing them to seal a 74-71 win.
“These are the things you see on TV and go, ‘Oh, my goodness, I can’t believe it.’ You see it on SportsCenter, and it’s the Bonehead Play of the Day,” said WCHS coach Doug Keil. “That’s what happened. Some kid, who had nothing to do with the ballgame, decided to take the game into his own hands.
“I don’t know what kind of fan the kid is, but obviously he’s not a fan of Warren County basketball. He doesn’t care enough about it, because he tried to be a part of the game and he has nothing to do with it.”
The incident capped a fourth quarter that had seen the Cavaliers (15-5, 5-3 district) bounce back from a nine-point deficit, holding the Pioneers to no field goals. But Warren County, which fell to 13-10 overall and 1-7 in league play, kept its head above water thanks to Randal Harrell, who hit 8-of-10 free-throw attempts in the final period.
Harrell pulled WCHS ahead by three (71-68) with a pair of free throws at the 2:32 mark, but Cookeville answered a minute later with a 3-pointer from John Rader, who scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half.
Reese Bishop, who led the way for WCHS with 24 points in the game, put up a shot as the final seconds began ticking off the clock, but his attempt was off the mark and the Pioneers’ Kyle Thompson was called for a foul while going for the rebound.
The foul sent Blake Weaver to the charity stripe, and he hit his first shot before the souvenir ball was thrown from the stands. After the technical foul was called, Weaver hit his second shot, and Mario Burnett connected on his second attempt to help clinch the victory.
The fan who threw the ball resulting in the technical foul was escorted out of the gymnasium by law enforcement personnel, an act that was cheered by both WCHS and Cookeville fans.
“This had nothing to do with the people who care about this program,” Keil said. “The ‘Front Row Bro’s,’ and all our fans, they know what they do for us with their cheering and support, and they care.
“This is somebody that just cared about himself. He wasn’t part of our team, and that’s what sad about it. These kids pour their guts out, then they have some bozo take it away.
“I don’t even know who it is, but it doesn’t matter, because that’s what happened. Some bozo who has nothing to do with this game, decides to take the game into his own hands for his own reason. And that’s really too bad, because our kids work so hard, and it’s really frustrating. I’m so proud of them, and it’s just very disappointing to have this taken away.”
The bizarre ending capped a hard-fought game between the two district rivals.
Harrell, who was held to just four points in his first meeting with Cookeville this season, came out for Friday’s game on a mission, and scored 11 of his eventual 22 points in the first quarter as WCHS went on top 27-17. Cookeville battled back behind Burnett, who posted 10 in the second quarter, to pull within five points (42-37) by halftime.
The Pioneers’ lead was cut to three points mid-way through the third, but Bishop, Ross Marlowe and Tommy Jones sparked an 11-2 run to expand Warren County’s advantage to double digits before Cookeville closed the third quarter down 63-55.
“Our guys just battled, fought and clawed, and played with the heart and passion we expect from Pioneer basketball,” Keil said. “This is what we’ve been talking about all year long, wanting our kids to play like this. And the last three ballgames, we’ve really played with the passion we’ve talked about.”
In addition to Bishop and Harrell’s big nights, the Pioneers got six points from Marlowe, five from Kyle Thompson and four apiece from Jones, Breu Bonner and Todd Gilley. Andy Harrell rounded out the scoring with two points. Defensively, WCHS forced 15 turnovers.
“We’ve been looking for a leader, and Reese Bishop has stepped up and decided he wants to be the leader of this team,” Keil said of Friday’s leading scorer. “He’s going to be one heck of a player before he leaves here, and I’m excited about that.”
The Cavaliers were led by Bobby Allman’s 18 points, while Burnett had 17 and Rader finished with 15. Weaver had eight of his 10 points in the first half, while Taylor Stearman had five, Brian Otuonye scored four and Addison Smith had three while Josh Curtis chipped in two.
The Pioneers face Baylor on the road Tuesday night, and return home to take on Lebanon Friday.