Game-winning shot

By Bart Moss / For the FCT

Braden Ray hit a shot at the buzzer to lift the Red Bay Tigers to a big come-from-behind win over the Central Wildcats last week in the Hardin County (Tenn.) Christmas Tournament.

Red Bay trailed by as much as 17 points early in the third quarter but hit some big shots down the stretch to chip away at Central’s lead and get the 48-46 win.

Central led Red Bay 15-13 at the end of the first quarter and extended the lead to 30-20 by halftime. Central came out of the locker room and pulled away to a quick 17-point advantage. The Tigers hit some big shots late in the third quarter to cut Central’s lead to 41-33 going into the fourth quarter.

Colton Corum hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 46-46 with just under two minutes remaining. The Tigers were able to hold the ball almost the entirety of the last minute of the game before Gath Weatherford made a drive for the basket. A Central player tipped the ball away from Weatherford into the waiting hands of Ray, who scored at the buzzer to give the Tigers the win.

“What an effort, what a comeback,” said Red Bay coach John Torisky. “We played hard and didn’t quit when our backs were against the wall. I’m still amazed we were able to win.”

Corum led the Tigers with 14 points. Weatherford had 10 points, seven of which came in the fourth quarter.  Clay Allison finished the game with nine points and Ray with seven points, and Hunter Bays and Peyton Green had four points each.

Hardin County (Tenn.) 71, Red Bay 50

The Tigers had a hard time coming down from their emotional buzzer-beater win over Central, falling to Hardin County 71-50.

Hardin County led 18-9 at the end of the first quarter and 38-21 at the half.

Weatherford led the Tigers with 20 points. Ray followed with 12 points. Jalen Vinson scored five points, and Green had four points. Allison and Corum finished with three points each. Noah Brewer had two points, and Tanner Hamilton had one point.