A sloppy game featuring a first half that resembled a football game resulted in the North Forrest Eagles falling in the 2A semi-final game to Coahoma County 44-31.
“We’ve come up here two times and struggled to score both times. Our defense was there. Missed free throws and layup opportunities around the basket hurt us in the first half. We played a little bit better and with more energy in the second half, but we gave up too many second-chance points. They were more aggressive and we didn’t take care of our defensive backboard. Still, I’m proud of my guys. They overachieved all year. We played well above our heads since we lost seven seniors from last year’s Final Four team. To be back right here is a testament to their hard work this season,” said North Forrest head coach Quenton Loving.
The first period of the game resembled a baseball score as North Forrest was able to score just one point on a made free throw from Cleveland Sullivan. Coahoma County did not fare much better as Bentavious Galmore knocked down a pair of free throws and Trumaine Jones found a field goal in eight minutes of play.
In the second period, the scoring drought for both teams continued with the halftime break score appearing more like a football score, 14-7 in favor of the Red Panthers. The period featured senior Red Panther Keshun Holly hitting three field goals while North Forrest’s Williams hit a three to pull the Eagles within five 10-5 scoring six of North Forrest’s seven points in the first half. Still, the Eagles trailed 14-7 entering the locker room.
“It is quite ironic because it was similar to Ingomar. We get up here, defensively we are pretty good, but just for the second-straight year we get here and struggle to score the basketball,” said Loving on the first-half struggles, “early on in the first half we were trying to find a rhythm. You gather that rhythm by making free throws and making layups, getting the easy ones. We weren’t able to do that.”
Both teams came out of the halftime break with a bit more fire offensively, with North Forrest pulling within four as they entered the final period. Joseph Holloway scored six of his xx total points in the third to keep North Forrest within striking distance. Coahoma County’s Galmore also found his stride offensively as he nailed a three, along with a field goal in the third period to keep their lead at 27-23 entering the fourth.
North Forrest tried to close the gap in the fourth, however, they were no match on the offensive side of the ball as missed free throws and a costly turnover with the score 34-31 let Coahoma County pull away late to take the 44-31 victory.
“It was 34-31 and we had a big turnover in transition. They laid it in and from that point on it was an uphill climb for us,” said Loving about the fourth period that saw the Red Panthers pull away.
“I told them in the locker room that we have everyone returning and two years worth of experience going to “The Big House.” Let’s make the third time the charm and get it done. Let’s let that be our mission, to bring home a State Championship,” as Loving reflected on his returning players.
Stats
Cleveland Williams - 13 points
Joseph Holloway - 11 points
Jaren Sullivan - 5 points
Tyrell Pollard - 2 points
