LITTLE ROCK — Tarvanell Russell made two free throws with 8.6 seconds to play in overtime to lift Watson Chapel to a 63-62 victory over Pulaski Oak Grove in the first round of the Mills Invitational at the Galaxy gymnasium.
“We held on by the skin of our teeth,” Watson Chapel Coach Danny Myatt said. “For our first ballgame, it was a big win. They are really fast and they were ready for us with three or four games in already.”
Two three-point baskets from Tyler Jordan and a basket inside from Cardell Robinson put Oak Grove up by two points twice in the final three minutes. But each time, Xavier Westmoreland tied the game for Watson Chapel. Jordan missed a game-winning three point attempt at the buzzer for Oak Grove, ending regulation tied 54-54.
“You can tell them they’re fast, but until you see it you never know. But we didn’t quit,” Myatt said. “We didn’t play smart all the time, but we were unselfish.”
The Wildcats jumped out to a 15-2 lead when Russell scored six points in a spurt that started with a three-pointer. Jovean Bailey and James Ferrell each scored for Watson Chapel, but the Hornets mounted a comeback.
Oak Grove outscored Watson Chapel 17-12 behind the scoring of Cole Thomas, Tyler Jordan and Parks. Corey Green hit a three-pointer to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 21-18 and added two free throws with seven seconds to go before halftime to trim the lead to 27-23.
Even though Watson Chapel started the second half with a three-pointer from Russell and baskets from Bailey and Donovan Goodwin, Oak Grove wouldn’t go away.
An aggressive half-court defense forced two quick turnovers and Darius Jones laid in a shot that tied the game. Seconds later, after Russell hit a three-pointer for Watson Chapel, Parks scored, stole the ball, then passed to Anthony Turner for a 44-43 Oak Grove lead. But Ferrell got the lead back for Watson Chapel with seven seconds remaining in the quarter on a turnaround jumper from 4 feet.
Jordan led Oak Grove with 20 points, including four three-pointers, while Russell led Watson Chapel with 23 points.
Sports, Pages 22 on 11/30/2010