Trojans fall in 4A tourney

By By Jeff Byrd/Sports Editor
February 22, 2003
BAY ST. LOUIS The smallest kid on the court came up with the biggest baskets at the South State 4A Boys Tournament semifinal game at Brother Gym.
Saint Stanislaus guard Gabe Willis scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Rock-A-Chaws from a six-point deficit to beat Northeast Lauderdale 56-51.
The loss sends Northeast to tonight's consolation game against Pass Christian.
St. Stanisluas (30-4) clinched a berth in the 4A Boys State Tournament and will play in tonight's championship game at 8 p.m. against the Picayune.
Trojan head coach Lewis Lightsey felt his team couldn't catch many breaks against the state's sixth ranked club, which was playing before a packed house of nearly 1,800.
The game featured as many made three-pointers as two-pointers.
The Trojans made 10 three-point goals to nine for SSC. The Rock-A-Chaws had 10 two-point buckets to nine for the Trojans.
The difference was at the line where the SSC made 10-of-16 from the stripe, while Northeast had just two free throws and made one.
Still, Northeast lead 41-35 heading into the fourth quarter. That's where the 5-foot-7 Willis began taking over.
Willlis opened the quarter with a three-pointer followed up by another from Darius Acker that tied the game at 41.
DeKenno Winston answered for Northeast with a long range three to put the Trojans back in front 44-41.
Willis came back with another trey to re-tie the game at 44, with 3:55 to play.
A miss on the Trojans' end was followed by a fast break which Willis converted for a layup. He added another drive drawing the foul in the process for a 48-44 lead, with 3:07 to play.
Two free throws by Rob Murray made it a 7-point lead for SSC, with 1:29 to play.
But the Trojans would not go away.
A putback by Jimmy Grace and a putback by Marcus Betts came in between a pair of free throws by SSC to make the score 53-48 with 47.4 seconds left.
The Rock-A-Chaws were then called for a walk giving the Trojans a much-needed break. Betts countered with a three-pointer cutting the deficit to 53-51, with 35 seconds to go.
SSC answered getting a fast-break basket from Mario Feranda for a four-point lead.
Winston saw his chance cut the deficit back to two go in and out of the basket with less then 20 seconds to go. Acker rebounded and was fouled.
He made one of two shots to seal the game at 56-51.
A sharply played first quarter saw seven-lead changes, but the squads finished the opening eight minutes knotted at 18.
The Trojans took charge in the second quarter,r with Winston, Betts and Jimmy Gravce all hitting treys to boost the team to its biggest lead of the night 31-21.
SSC scored the last five points of the half to make it 31-26.
The lead switched hands four times in the third quarter before Kalani White scored off the break for a 36-35 lead. Grace added another basket off cutting through the defense for a layup. Betts capped the late third quarter surge with a three-pointer for a 41-35 advantage.
Winston led Northeast (21-12) with 18 points. Betts had 12, and White added six.
Willis led SSC with 26 points. Acker notched 15, and Feranda scored nine.