Stringer fell a basket short in the final second Tuesday night.
Tied 41-41 in the final stretch of regulation, Leake County drained the clock to its last second before junior guard Tyrese Whittington sank a strong side corner three to hand the state’s No. 3 team in Class 1A a 44-41 win over the Red Devils.
Stringer head coach Brandon Jennings said his team executed their predetermined game plan perfectly, despite the outcome.
“Defensively, we wanted to pack the paint,” said Jennings. “They have a great rebounding team, and I thought we battled with them all night. Their kid made a tough shot in the end, but I thought we executed everything great. We were in the ball game at the end with a chance to win it.”
Leake County remains unbeaten in Region 7-1A at 5-0 and improves to 19-4 on the year. Stringer falls to 13-7 overall and 1-2 in region play.
Down by eight (30-22) in the third period, Stringer fought its way back. A highlight reel dunk by senior forward Keyshawn Dease with 1:15 left in the period tied the game, 32-32. More than a minute later, senior Tate McNeil closed out the third period with a three-point play – basket while fouled and made a free throw with exactly one-second left on the clock – to complete Stringer’s 13-2 run and overtake Leake County, 35-32.
Leading Leake County in three-point baskets, junior guard Jamichael Banks collected his 41st of the season with 3:36 left to play to tie the game once again at 37 a-piece. Teammate Jamarie Weathers followed with a three-point play 10 seconds later for the game’s eighth lead change.
The lead swapped back in Stringer’s favor (41-40) precisely three minutes later on a fast-break layup by sophomore Omarion Bridges with 1:36 remaining in regulation.
Prior to Whittington’s game-winner, Leake County tied the game of the sixth time, 41-41, on a made free throw basket with 50.3 ticks left on the clock.
Key factor in Stringer’s loss
Stringer shot 45 percent from the line on 20 free basket attempts. Jennings said those missed opportunities were costly.
“We wanted to press some,” said Jennings. “We usually do that off of made free throws. We ended up missing 10 or 11 free throws which cost us the ball game. But still, I’m super proud of the way our boys played.”
Leake County went to the line just nine times Tuesday night, making six free throws.
Point leaders
Seven players contributed to Leake County’s win, but only one, Jamarie Weathers, managed double-digit points. Weathers finished with 10.
Stringer had a similar stat line as seven players scored baskets in the loss. Tate McNeil led the Red Devils with 14 points, the only player to reach double-digits.
Moving forward
As tough as the loss was for the highly anticipated matchup, Jennings said his team effort is to be commended.
“We knew we’d have our hand full,” said Jennings. “Coming in they were the No. 3 team in Class 1A [across the state]. I’m just super proud of the way our kids played. We worked Sunday and Monday on our game plan, and we executed it to a T. I told them that if we executed, we’d be in the ball game. I think that showed them that we could play with even the best teams in the state.”
Stringer will get another shot at Leake County on the first day of February. Leake County finished first in 7-1A last year as Stringer notched the number two spot heading into the district tournament.
“We’re looking forward to going over there and playing,” said Jennings. “Hopefully we can get a win and make some free throws.”
