Tigers rally past Warriors for opening-round victory
Irving College won its opening round game in the Warren County Elementary Basketball Association tournament Monday night, fighting its way back from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to down Centertown 33-32 in the Charlie Dalton gym.
Gabriel Walkup help to lead the Warriors to a 6-5 lead in the first period with four points. Irving College got baskets from Justin Woodlee and Robert Harris, and Jonathan Burton hit the back end of two from the free-throw line.
In the second period Centertown worked the ball in the paint to Nathan Bombard, Walkup and Ethan Wilson, who combined for 11 points in the period. The Tigers struggled on defense and had a hard time on the glass. Zack Rubley converted a three-point play for Irving College, and a bucket from Woodlee and an offensive rebound basket from Burton kept the Tigers within striking distance as the half ended with Centertown holding a 17-12 lead.
The Warriors? defense turned up the pressure in the third period, which held the Tigers to five points. Centertown?s offense produced nine points as Braxton Hillis added three buckets. By the end of the third period Centertown had built a 26-17 advantage.
During the first three minutes of the final period Centertown struggled from the floor, hitting just two baskets. Lee Wade got the hot hand for Irving College, nailing a 3-pointer with 3:15 left in the game to cut Centertown?s lead to six then hitting back-to-back 3-pointers with under two minutes to play to tie the game at 30-30 with 44 seconds left.
A steal and basket by Woodleeput the Tigers out in front 32-30, then Wade was fouled and sent to the line where he hit 1-of-2, putting the Tigers out in front 33-30 with 20 seconds remaining.
Centertown worked the ball downcourt looking for a 3-pointer to tie the game, but the shot was only good for two as the Tigers held on for the victory.
For the Tigers, Wade had 12, Woodlee hit for eight, Harris had five, Burton added four, Rubley had three points and Moran had one.
Walkup had 11 points for the Warriors. Wilson pitched in eight, Hillis had six, Bombard added five and John Martin hit for two points.
The Tigers will take on Eastside Thursday at 8 p.m.