With six overtime games this season and each ending in a one point or less loss, the boys’ varsity basketball team used the extra four minutes in Friday night’s game to defeat area rival Bob Jones, 55-54.
“It is what we needed. To finally win one of those close, overtime games is exactly what this team needed heading into area play,” coach Jamie Coggins said.
The Senators were up by three when a Bob Jones player hit a last minute three-pointer to tie the game. Junior Darreon Miller gave the Senators the go-ahead lead with a 3-pointer with two minutes left in overtime. From that point, the team sank free-throws and played defense to secure the second area win of the season.
“I was so proud of Darreon. It was a big three and he didn’t let us down,” Coggins said.
The team enters the area tournament tied with Hazel Green. The two teams will flip a coin for the third and fourth place slots. The tournament will be held at James Clemens, Feb. 5 and 7.
“With 7A being a new classification, the state has taken out sub-state games,” Coggins said. “We just have to win one area game in the tournament to take the team to Wallace for regionals.
The girls’ team will play their area tournament at Hazel Green as second in the area. The games are scheduled for Feb. 4 and 6.