East Ridge edges Tigers
By D.A.. Collier
Voice Sports
With 12 seconds left in the game and trailing by three points, forward C.K. Howard in-bounded the ball for the Tigers. Howard, using two screens from teammates, circled to the top of the key where he got the pass from Drew Davidson. Howard’s three point try was just short and so were the Tigers who led East Ridge, from Pike Co., most of the game but fell at the end 57-54.
The Tigers who led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter were ahead at half time 22-17. It was a 3 point play by Zack Lusk with three minutes gone in the 3The Tigers who led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter were ahead at half time 22-17. It was a 3 point play by with three minutes gone in the 3rd quarter that gave the Tigers their biggest lead at 26-19. Two minutes later a three pointer by East Ridge gunner Anthony Coleman put them ahead 31-30 and it was nip and tuck the remainder of the way.
The Tigers came right back with a basket by Lee Watts on an assist by Davidson and it was 32-31 Tigers
Coleman hit another three for E. Ridge. 34-32. Davidson came right back for the Tigers with a three point play. 35-34 Tigers. Baskets by Michael Watkins and Davidson gave the Tigers the lead at the end of the 3rd quarter 41-39. The Tiger defense, which had been so strong in the first half, became porous in the 3rd quarter, with many of the E. Ridge baskets coming as lay-ups as they solved the Tiger press.Jackson held the lead until 2:43 remained in the 4th quarter when E. Ridge scored on another close-in shot to lead 51-50.
With 2:15 left, a twisting turning lay in by Watkins put the Tigers on top 52-51. E. Ridge scored on another close-in shot, 53-52. Davidson hit 1-2 free throws to tie the game at 53-53 with 1:43 remaining in the game. With 1:04 left, center Dustin Kilburn made a crucial steal, but a turnover cost the Tigers a shot at the lead and set the stage for the final shot and another near miss by the talented Tigers.
Davidson scored 15 points for Jackson; Kilburn and Lusk added 10 points each. Watkins tossed in 8 points; Howard had 3 and Aaron Jackson scored 2. Watts had his most action of the season and scored 5 points including a 3 pointer. Coleman had 22 for East Ridge.
