The No. 9 ranked Eufaula Ironheads (20-3) used great defense by Ty Sparks and Doltyn Lane in overtime to defeat No. 13 Preston Pirates at Preston on Tuesday. It was a game that Eufaula had to play against a team that had a large height and length advantage in addition to being very athletic. Both teams traded basket for basket and the Pirates led Eufaula 26-24 at halftime.
The Ironheads came out the third period determined to win as Jentry James led the charge and finished with a season high 26 points. Eufaula outscored Preston 17-9 with big plays by Gabe Callison, Sparks and James. The Ironheads outrebounded the Pirates in the third period and took a 41-35 lead into the final period.
Kovan Rice of Preston and Sparks battled throughout the game with speed and physicality. The Pirates did a great job of forcing turnovers but defense was the key for Eufaula. Rice tied the game 46-46 with 2:50 remaining in regulation. Phoenix Finch would battle his way in the paint and score to take a 49-48 lead. Both teams traded shot for shot. James drove the baseline and was fouled but only made one of his free throws but still tied the game at 51-51. Rice then was fouled and scored his free throws to give Preston a 53-51 lead with 14.1 seconds on the clock. The Ironheads quickly moved the ball upcourt and a great pass from Keaton Parish to Sparks set up a score but Sparks was fouled and had to go to the free throw line with 6.7 seconds. Sparks made both to tie the game 53-53 to go into overtime.
Both teams played well to start the extra period and with 1:02 remaining Carson Whiiman scored from the baseline to give the Pirates a 58-57 lead. On the next play he would foul out as he hacked James going to the basket. James then gave Eufaula a 59-58 lead with 41.4 seconds on the clock.
Then came one of the biggest plays in the game. Lane would make a steal and pass to James who was fouled, score 60-58 with 29.4 seconds. Finch would make his way through the Ironhead defense low in the paint for a score to tie the game at 60 each.
R’Reon Marrow would get fouled on the next Eufaula possession and score one of his free throws to give the Ironheads a 61-60 with 6.2 seconds remaining in overtime.
Preston then tried a long pass but Sparks made the steal and was hacked going to the basket. Sparks then sealed the 63-60 victory by making both free throws.
James led all scorers with 26 points, Sparks 16 points, Callison seven points and Lane added six points.
Rice led Preston with 22 points and Finch added 20 points.
Eufaula (21-3) defeated Silo on Friday 85-66
(No stats available.)
