Mustangs surge in OT
Midland Valley and Airport played a classic Thursday night that should have been expected when the top teams battling for first place in region 5-3A square off.
The Mustangs scored the final six points of overtime to escape with a 79-76 victory Thursday night at Airport.
The Eagles won a thrilling one on Tuesday with a last second 3-pointer, but lost this time in heartbreaking fashion.
“We have to bounce back,” Airport coach Jimmy Kinard said. “We were fortunate to win one the other night in thrilling fashion, but it didn’t go our way tonight. A play here or there and things could have turned out different. They made the plays we couldn’t.”
The defending state champions are rounding into peak form. They had several players miss games early in the season because the football team played for the state championship, they’ve battled through injuries and had a few academic issues.
But after starting the season 3-7, Midland Valley is 10-8 and 5-0 in the region at the midway point.
“We’ve had more than our share of adversity this season,” Midland Valley coach Mark Snelgrove said. “This is really on the second game that we’ve had everybody available. Daniel Carr didn’t play until region play started. We’ve struggled but it’s slowly starting to come together.”
Carr scored 31 points and Tayler Wade added 23 for Midland Valley. Carr, the point guard who starred in the Mustangs’ run to a state championship last season, has only played five games because of a hamstring injury from football season.
His two free throws with 17 seconds in overtime gave the Mustangs the lead for good at 77-76. It was a blocked shot by Michael Brown that might have saved the game though. After Carr’s free throws, the Mustangs had a defensive breakdown that allowed a 2-1 fast break advantage. The ball was passed on the break, and Brown came from the back for the block.
“Mike is really good at blocking shots from the side, or coming from behind,” Snelgrove said. “It’s probably what he does best, so it was lucky for us we had him in the game at that time.”
Tayler Wade, who returned to the lineup after suffering a foot injury in the fourth quarter, added two more free throws with 9 seconds remaining.
The Eagles had one final shot to force another extra period, but an open 3-pointer went off the back iron.
Airport (14-6, 4-1) forced overtime with a late surge that was spearheaded by Josh Williamson. The Eagles guard scored eight points for his team in regulation to force the extra period. He hit a driving layup at the buzzer to tie it at 68 after Midland Valley turned it over with less than 10 seconds remaining.
He kept it going in overtime with a basket off the tip. The Eagles pushed the lead to 76-73 with 1:36 remaining before the Mustangs went to work.
Devon Young scored on an offensive stick back before the teams traded missed shots and turnovers. Airport missed two free throws with 28 seconds remaining that set the stage for the finale.
Williamson scored 28 points to lead Airport. He scored 20 of his points in the second half and overtime. Jalon Coakley added 16 points.
MV: Daniel Carr 31, Tayler Wade 23, Devon Young 15, Ray 3, Foster 3, Brown 2, Morency 2. A: Josh Williamson 28, Jalon Coakley 16, CJ Wright 12, Tucker 7, Ford 4, Gillins 3, Thomas 2, Robinson 2, Dennis 2.
Girls Midland Valley 43, Airport 41
Keielana Smith hit a runner from the baseline with seconds remaining to give the Mustangs the victory. The win moves the Mustangs into second place in Region 5-3A with a 12-5 record and 4-1 in the region. They’re one game behind leader Aiken.
Airport is in third in the region at 3-2.
Smith scored 15 points, all in the second half, to lead the Mustangs. Shakori Jennings-Shuler scored 18 points for the Eagles. Jennifer Ellison added 11.
MV: Keielana Smith 15, Andrews 9, Edmond 6, Evans 6, Morgan 3, Padgett 2, Pixley 2. A: Shakori Jennings-Shuler 18, Jennifer Ellison 11, Jamison 4, Rhodes 4, Washington 2, Jackson 2.
This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 11:16 PM with the headline "Mustangs surge in OT."