Friday, February 05, 2010
Patriots defeat rival Fleming in WVD showdown
PH's Ty Smith connects on a late 3-pointer to hand Fleming its seventh consecutive defeat.
Photos by JARED SOARES The Roanoke Times
Patrick Henry's Terrell Wilson fights for a loose ball against William Fleming defenders during the third quarter on Thursday.
William Fleming's Julian Hicks drives to the basket past Patrick Henry defender Kalleon Moret during the second quarter.
Patrick Henry and William Fleming players fight for a loose ball during the fourth quarter of Thursday night's game at Patrick Henry High School. The Patriots defeated the Colonels, 43-40.
For the past couple of seasons, especially when they play at Patrick Henry, it has begun to look like the Patriots boys basketball team has archrival William Fleming's number.
For the second consecutive year, PH edged Fleming in the final seconds on the Patriots' home court. Senior guard Ty Smith connected on a long 3-pointer with less than two seconds remaining Thursday night, giving the Patriots (13-3, 6-1) a 43-40 win and clinching at least a regular-season tie in the Western Valley District.
A little over a year ago, PH upset previously undefeated Fleming 43-42 on Woody Deans Court, as a long Fleming 3-point attempt by Stephon Anderson bounced off the rim at the buzzer.
"That last possession [Thursday night] just epitomized our team's season," said Patriots coach Jack Esworthy, who then detailed the play by play of the game's final seconds. "Melvin Henderson was dribbling at the top of the key as the clock was winding down. He passed the ball to Ronnie Thomas, who appeared to have a shot, but Ronnie saw a defender coming at him. He said [to himself], 'No, Ty has a better shot' and gave him the ball.
"We've always made that extra pass all season long."
"The last shot wasn't designed for me," said Smith, who buried his trey from deep in the corner, "but I'm a player and I'm going to shoot it when they get me the ball."
Smith played for the PH varsity squad as a freshman three seasons ago, but just returned to the area this year after living in Charlotte his sophomore and junior years. Smith said he had connected on game-winning shots in recreational league play, but this game was much more meaningful.
"It felt so much better, because it was against Fleming," Smith said.
Both teams employed methodical approaches to the game in the early going, each squad passing the ball for an extended period before attempting its opening shot.
The Colonels (3-11, 0-6) opened early leads of 5-0 and 8-3 and Mack Tucker hit two of his game-high four 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the game. PH grabbed its first lead at 9-8 when Cam Jones came off the bench and scored six first-quarter points.
Fleming has now lost seven consecutive games, dating back more than a month, but four of those defeats have been by three points or less.
"To be honest, this game was not closer than I expected," Esworthy said.
"I learned that the first game I coached against Fleming back in 1996. They played well, hustled their butts off and hit some huge shots."
Fleming was paced by Miles Henderson (15 points) and Tucker (12) who combined to make 7-of-12 shots from 3-point range.
Henderson's trey with 2:06 left tied the score at 40 and ended a seven-point Patriots run.
Neither team scored again until the final seconds.
The game was clearly one of runs in the second half. After PH scored seven points in a row and moved to a 28-18 advantage, Tucker (two 3-pointers) and Chris Whitfield (two inside baskets) pulled the Colonels even at 28 with two minutes left in the third period.
Melvin Henderson, Miles' brother, led PH with 12 points, while Jones added nine and Smith had seven.
Paul Porter grabbed 10 of PH's 24 rebounds, nine of them coming off the offensive glass.
Julian Hicks led Fleming with 10 boards, six of them offensive.
Fleming, last year's Group AAA runner-up, remains winless in the district this season, and is in serious danger of missing qualifying for the district tournament.
WILLIAM FLEMING (3-11, 0-6)
Miles Henderson 6 0-0 15, Tucker 4 0-0 12, Brown 1 0-0 2, Whitfield 2 1-2 5, Hicks 2 2-2 6, Hudson 0 0-0 0, Wyatt 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 3-4 40.
PATRICK HENRY (13-3, 6-1)
Melvin Henderson 5 2-2 12, Thomas 2 0-0 4, Wilson 2 0-0 6, Smith 3 0-0 7, Porter 1 1-2 3, Jones 4 1-2 9, Moret 0 2-2 2, Banks 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 6-8 43.
William Fleming 10 8 13 9 -- 40
Patrick Henry 11 10 9 13 -- 43
3-point goals -- William Fleming 7 (Tucker 4, Miles Henderson 3), Patrick Henry 2 (Wilson 2, Smith). Total fouls -- William Fleming 10, Patrick Henry 8. Fouled out -- none. JV -- Patrick Henry, 37-24.
