Red Bay boys stun Bobcats in overtime thriller 56-51

By Staff
Scot Beard
PHIL CAMPBELL – For the second year in a row the Red Bay varsity boys basketball team traveled to Phil Campbell and stunned the host Bobcats.
The Tigers trailed for most of the game, but took the lead early in the fourth quarter. Phil Campbell (6-4, 2-2) rallied from an eight-point deficit and Dillan Hamby hit a 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime tied 49-49.
"They made a big shot to come back," Red Bay coach Greg Cash said. "I told the players it's back to 0-0. It's about who makes the plays now."
After giving up a basket to Phil Campbell's Jordan Benford, Red Bay scored seven consecutive points to earn the victory.
Red Bay (3-3, 2-1) began the game with several mistakes, but the Bobcats were not able to capitalize on the turnovers. Phil Campbell built an 11-2 lead before Red Bay's offense got going.
The Tigers closed the second quarter on an 8-0 run to cut the Phil Campbell lead to 25-20 at halftime. Part of that run included a 3-pointer by Nathan Gray and three free throws from Austin Malone when he was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The Tigers continued to chip away at Phil Campbell's lead in the third quarter and a 3-pointer from Steven Nabers tied the game 35-35 heading into the final quarter.
Red Bay took its first lead of the game with 7:23 remaining on a basket by Cory Timbs. The Tigers lead by a score of 45-37 before Phil Campbell began its comeback.
Lawrence Butts scored five quick points for the Bobcats before Gray hit a pair of free throws for Red Bay to extend the Tigers' lead to 47-42 with 56 seconds remaining.
Butts added another basket and Red Bay's Chase Lindsey drew a foul, but only hit one of his free throws.
Matt Waid scored for Phil Campbell to cut Red Bay's lead to 48-46. Lindsey drew another foul with 17.8 seconds to play but again hit only one of his free throws to leave Red Bay with a 3-point advantage and setting up the big shot for Hamby.
"I was proud of our boys (for rallying)," Phil Campbell coach Darit Riddle said. "That's what rivalry games are about."
Butts led all scorers with 29 points. Hamby added nine points for Phil Campbell while Waid scored seven points. Other scorers for the Bobcats include Benford (4) and Seth Brown (2).
Timbs led the Tigers with 16 points while Nabers added 13 points.
Other scorers for Red Bay include Gray (7), Lindsey (5), Curtis Morrell (4), Blake Brummett (3), Cody Reynolds (3), Malone (3) and Andy Thorn (1).
Riddle said the key to the game was Red Bay's post players.
"Their big guys down low hurt us," Riddle said.