http://www.insidenova.com/sports/hylton-rallies-past-colonial-forge-to-remain-unbeaten-in-conference/article_da1bd9b0-b1e2-11e4-a875-93eb07986d9a.html
Tyland Crawford answered a question with a question.
"Wait, we were down 11?"
Yes, the Hylton Bulldogs were in
fact down 11 with 3:43 seconds left to go in the third quarter Tuesday
against Colonial Forge, the defending 6A state champions, with the
winner getting the inside track for a berth in the post-season.
Oh, and Hylton's leading scorer
Jerry Carter, was wearing black dress pants and a gray sweater on the
bench, sitting out his fourth-straight game with a knee injury.
Just as it looked like Colonial
Forge was on its way to a blowout victory, Hylton dominated the final
quarter and a half of play, winning 60-54, after closing with a 28-11
run with three of the Eagles points coming on a desperation
three-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining.
"All we did was keep digging,"
said Crawford, who led the Bulldogs with 17 points. "We didn't look at
the scoreboard. We just kept fighting."
Hylton coach Barry Smith never
mentioned the score to his team either. His message was get tougher on
defense, namely stopping the penetration and inside passes that fueled
Colonial Forge's offense through the game's first half.
After allowing Colonial Forge to
get inside early throughout the game - nearly all of the Eagles shots,
let alone baskets - came from shots inside 12 feet, the Bulldogs bucked
down in the paint and turned steals and blocks to fast-breaks on the
other end to fuel the run.
"It was a big game and we played
great today, but there will be bigger ones this season," Smith said. "We
didn't win a championship tonight, so while we're happy to win, we know
there is still lots to work on."
The score remained close early.
Hylton took a 17-14 lead into the second quarter, before Colonial
Forge's interior offense began to take over. Using a combination of
lay-ups and trips to the free throw line, the Eagles built an
eight-point lead with 43 seconds left before halftime.
They extended the lead again
throughout the early parts of the third quarter and after scoring eight
consecutive points, led 43-32. It appeared at that point the game might
get out of reach, but after a basket from Josh Peterson, Crawford hit a
three-pointer from the top of the key that energized the crowd.
Tyland Crawford answered a question with a question.
"Wait, we were down 11?"
Yes, the Hylton Bulldogs were in
fact down 11 with 3:43 seconds left to go in the third quarter Tuesday
against Colonial Forge, the defending 6A state champions, with the
winner getting the inside track for a berth in the post-season.
Oh, and Hylton's leading scorer
Jerry Carter, was wearing black dress pants and a gray sweater on the
bench, sitting out his fourth-straight game with a knee injury.
Just as it looked like Colonial
Forge was on its way to a blowout victory, Hylton dominated the final
quarter and a half of play, winning 60-54, after closing with a 28-11
run with three of the Eagles points coming on a desperation
three-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining.
"All we did was keep digging,"
said Crawford, who led the Bulldogs with 17 points. "We didn't look at
the scoreboard. We just kept fighting."
Hylton coach Barry Smith never
mentioned the score to his team either. His message was get tougher on
defense, namely stopping the penetration and inside passes that fueled
Colonial Forge's offense through the game's first half.
After allowing Colonial Forge to
get inside early throughout the game - nearly all of the Eagles shots,
let alone baskets - came from shots inside 12 feet, the Bulldogs bucked
down in the paint and turned steals and blocks to fast-breaks on the
other end to fuel the run.
"It was a big game and we played
great today, but there will be bigger ones this season," Smith said. "We
didn't win a championship tonight, so while we're happy to win, we know
there is still lots to work on."
The score remained close early.
Hylton took a 17-14 lead into the second quarter, before Colonial
Forge's interior offense began to take over. Using a combination of
lay-ups and trips to the free throw line, the Eagles built an
eight-point lead with 43 seconds left before halftime.
They extended the lead again
throughout the early parts of the third quarter and after scoring eight
consecutive points, led 43-32. It appeared at that point the game might
get out of reach, but after a basket from Josh Peterson, Crawford hit a
three-pointer from the top of the key that energized the crowd.
