By Staff
Charles Prince, Hartselle Enquirer
The Falkville Blue Devils came back from 14 points down to force overtime and went on to record a 61-59 win Friday night at Danville. With the win Falkville is now 8-6 on the season.
Thomas Alexander scored four points in overtime as the Devils built a 60-57 lead with 20 seconds left in the extra period.
Danville's Matt Young then sank a jumper to pull the Hawks within one with 12 seconds left.
With nine seconds left Jonathan Lacey made one of two free throws to give the Blue Devils a 61-59 lead. A three-point shot by the Hawk's Nate Orr fell short as the buzzer sounded sending Falkville home with the win.
"This team just keeps playing hard, they don't quit," said Falkville coach Yancey Randolph said. "When we were down by 12 in the third (period) I just told them to keep playing hard and good things will happen."
Danville (9-8) raced to a 10-0 lead early in the first period and extended the lead to 21-7 at the end of the period when Nate Orr sank a three-point shot at the buzzer.
The lead was nine at halftime as center Patrick Pinchon dominated inside the paint for the Hawks. Pinchon scored eight of his 14 points in the first half of play. He would finish as the game's leading rebounder with 12.
Danville would increase the lead to 12 at 37-25 with 3:16 remaining in the third period but then the Blue Devils would mount the comeback that forced overtime. Lacey with 14-second half points sparked the Falkville offense. Lacey finished as the games high scorer with 23 points. Ross Summerford's jumper with seven seconds left in the game tied the score at 54. Danville would not get a shot off before the final buzzer.
Danville girls 35 Falkville 23
The Danville Lady Hawks spotted the Falkville Lady Blue Devils a 2-0 lead but then went on a 14-0 run to take command on their way to a 35-23 win. The win improved their record to 5-7 this year.
Jessica Hazel led the Lady Hawks with 14 points, while Jada Jones led Falkville (3-8) with 13 points.
Danville head coach Robbie Smith thinks her team is improving as the Morgan County tournament approaches.
"This is a great way to come back from the (holiday) break. Falkville beat us earlier in the year, so this is a big win," said Smith. "I feel like we are getting better and we're trying to get ready for the county tournament. We still have a ways to go, but I do think we are getting there."