We played host to United Tribes on Wednesday evening. It was a game for the ages here, as exactly 300 points were scored in our 156-154 win in two overtimes. It had everything, lead changes, ties, controversial calls, and ending a game with less than five guys on one side.
UTTC had five guys at the start of the game, this is the same as when they visited earlier in the year. Again they gave us a great battle, as anyone knows when they play the Thunderbirds they are going to come at you with everything they have. The problem with five comes when guys start to foul out, as the game ended 5 on 2.
In the first half it was another slow start for us as from the tip we trailed and never did gain any footing. Tribes would gain the lead on the tip and would continue to grow it, leading 11-4 very early. We would fight back a number of times to close the gap to 2-3 points, however we would go into the half down 12, 60-48. In the first half 57% of shots were hit by UTTC, again a worry was our defensive intensity to begin the game.
In the second half, we again started slow as we could not get going or get any big stops. The Thunderbirds would continue to expand the lead, until they eventually lead by 21, 80-59 with around 12:00 to go. However, my kids did not fold as they fought back and started to chip away. I told them in the huddle our goal was four points or less when 4:00 hit, it was at 5 points with 3:55. We were able to tie the game in the last minute, and avoided the upset when a lob in the middle was just off the mark for UTTC.
In the first OT, Tribes again scored first, but it was a more back and forth effort with neither team gaining any kind of advantage. A three quarter court heave by Brian Egejuru as time expired was just off the mark sending us to a second overtime, the second OT started five on three. Again UTTC jumped out leading by as much as five with about 2:30 to go. We battled back again and they lost another player. This proved to be to much as we would get the winning basket with 18.6 seconds left and would get a steal to seal it.
I have to give alot of credit to UTTC as they showed more heart and fight than any team I have played or coached against.
We now move on to the Region XIII Championship, it will be on Sunday at 1 pm in the Woodshed. We are playing for our third straight.
Stats
JJ Morris - 51 pts, 16-33 shooting, 11-21 from three, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals
Brian Egejuru - 28 pts, 16 assists, 9 rebounds, 5 steals
Malik Jones - 19 pts, 7 reb, 8 asst, 6 steals
Louis Williams - 19 pts, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
Wesley Harrison - 11 pts, 14 rebounds
Kenric Twine - 11 pts, 8 rebounds
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