By Matt Laws (matt.laws@averyjournal.com)
Avery Journal-Times
*Blog Exclusive*
Humboldt (33-1) 60 vs. Manassas 63 (25-2)-
Everyone expected this to be the game of the day. It didn't disappoint. Two late second shots sent Manassas into the semifinal round of the TSSAA 1-A championship.
The first quarter saw both teams fight through opening round jitters as Manassas took a 14 to 12 lead into the second quarter. Manassas started the second quarter on a five point run before Humboldt started their run back. The teams knotted the score at 19 before Humboldt pushed out their lead. Manassas responded and closed the gap before halftime. The Vikings of Humboldt made led by 28-24 at the break.
In the start of the second half, Humboldt quickly went on a 6-0 run in the opening minute. They pushed that out to eight to take a 36-24 lead. Manassas responded with another run of their own to cut the Viking lead to three. The Tigers eventually took the lead, but not before both teams began trading shots. Humboldt got a quick bucket and steal to spark a five point run that gave them a 49-45 lead entering the final frame.
In that frame, it was an even match as neither team could pull away. The Tigers managed to streak away and take a five point lead with two minutes remaining as Humboldt missed four key throws down the stretch. The Vikings got back on the board with 1:30 then got a steal off the inbound pass to pull within one in a ten second stretch. Manassas missed two free throws with 20 seconds left. Humboldt nailed a 3-pointer with 15.2 remaining to tie the game. However, Manassas’s Marcus Holloway hit a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left on the clock to send the Vikings home with their first loss 63-60.
Tevin Crayton led the Vikings with 16 points and Charles Taylor added 12 points. Kendall Woodard also scored 16 for the Tigers and Hollaway added 15 points. Humboldt shot 49% while hitting 24 of 49 shots while Manassas hit 25 of 50 for an even 50%.
The Tigers advance to play the winner of Grace Baptist and Grace Christian.
