Lebanon stuns Radford

Pioneers’ Brown hits late lay up to end Bobcat's title defense

By CODY DALTON
cody@southwesttimes.com



BRISTOL – It took only 6.4 seconds in the game, but the Radford High School boy’s basketball team watched their state title defense end in dramatic fashion on Saturday.

Lebanon’s Justin Brown drove from one length of the court to the other, slicing through defenders on his way to a game winning lay up as the Pioneer defeated the Bobcats, 62-61, in the Group A, Div. 2 State Quarterfinals at Virginia High School.

“This set loss set our program back,” said Radford coach Rick Cormany. “There is absolutely no positive because this team absolutely did not deserve to win the basketball game. We didn't do anything smart or intelligent all night long, all the way to the very end when you let a guy – a post player – take the ball the length of the court and score to beat us. It was classic of how the whole game went. That was a defining moment.”

The game appeared to be in hand, as freshman William Minter connected on six of seven free throw attempts and junior Dontae Carter made all four of his attempts. Brown would take Minter’s one miss though and drive for the winning score.

The majority of the game was close, with the largest lead being just four points through the first three quarters. However, that would change in the fourth when Radford (17-7) fell behind a game-high ten points, 51-41, and it looked as if the game’s momentum was shifting towards Lebanon (20-5).

Lebanon’s best player, Jerome Cobb, would foul out on back-to-back personal and technical fouls in the third though, which limited the Pioneer offense late. Jerome Alexander and Dontae Carter capitalize and power the Bobcats back in the game. The duo combined for 16 straight Radford points, as the Bobcats stormed back to retake the lead, 57-54.

Realizing they had to score and foul, the Pioneers sent both Carter and Minter to the line one time each within the final minute. They would connect on all four attempts though and it looked as if Radford would head back to the State Semifinals and defend their title at the Vine Center.

Late mistakes though marred the repeat to Richmond. Two fouls committed late by Radford against Lebanon stopped the clock, allowed for free throws, and gave the Pioneers a fighting chance to win the game.

“There is no moral victory here,” said Radford coach Rick Cormany. “I don't believe in moral victories. We did not deserve to win the basketball game. We had too many mental breakdowns. We were not a smart basketball team.”

Lebanon, a team who had shot poorly from the free throw line, would make their opportunities late, which led to the dramatic final score for the victory.

Jerome Alexander scored a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. Dontae Carter added 16 points for Radford, who finishes the season with a 17-7 record and both the Three Rivers District regular season and tournament championships.