Spring Valley survives last-second heave
Spring Valley coach Perry Dozier gambled it and it paid off.
With his team leading by three, Dozier chose not to foul Wade Hampton guard Preston Parks before he could attempt a potential game-tying 3-pointer on Wednesday’s final possession.
Parks got a look, but his attempt over Spring Valley’s Kendall Wall went long as the Vikings held on for a 60-57 victory over the Generals in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.
The ninth-ranked Vikings will travel to No. 4 Westside, 62-52 winners over Clover, on Saturday in a second round matchup.
“It is one of those things everyone coaches different,” Dozier said. “Some would have fouled and let them shoot free throws and wish for the best. I just prefer taking the chance on him shooting a three. We were going to deny him the ball and make it tough for them to shoot.
“The way it turned out it was a good call and we ended up winning the game.”
No one would have blamed Dozier for wanting to foul Parks, the all-state guard in that situation. The senior hit seven 3-pointers and scored 23 of his game-high 33 points in the second half.
Parks hit a 3-pointer from about five feet behind the three-point line to give the Generals a 53-52 lead with 2:07 left. Spring Valley answered with a Jordan Bruner layup and Noah Harper converted a pair of steals into baskets as the Vikings led 57-53 with 47 seconds left.
Spring Valley led 59-55 before Parks hit two free throws to close the gap to 59-57 with less than 20 seconds left. Deangelo Ward hit one of two free throws to give Spring Valley a 60-57 lead with 12 seconds left before Parks missed the final shot.
“I knew they were a good team and we didn’t sleep on them one bit,” Dozier said. “I am just happy to have this victory.”
Wall and Harper led Spring Valley 19 points apiece. Wall did his damage in the first half with 14 points in the first two quarters. Harper picked up the scoring load in the second half with 11 of his 19 coming in the fourth quarter.
Bruner added 14 points and 17 rebounds.
“This is our senior year and we all want to get rings,” Wall said. “We just had to put forth all our effort.”
Luke Brenegan added 15 points, including 13 in the first half. Wade Hampton hit 10 3-pointers in the game and led by as many as seven points in the first half.
WH: Rolf 2, Preston Parks 33, Butler 4, Luke Brenegan 15, Fowler 2, Range 2. SV: Noah Harper 19, Jordan Bruner 14, Kendall Wall 19, Ward 6, Myers 2.
This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 10:58 PM.