Lynn Burke
03-15-2008, 02:18 PM
Governors reign supreme
Nelson County spoils Surry’s quest for a second state basketball title in four seasons.
By MARTY O’BRIEN | mobrien@dailypress.com | 247-4963
RICHMOND — A month ago, as Surry County High struggled to reach .500, few would’ve given the Cougars any chance to win a state championship. They had plenty of opportunities in the final minutes of the Group A Division 1 final on Saturday at the Siegel Center, but could not cash in on them in a 50-47 loss to Nelson County.
Vincent Batten’s 3-point attempt from the left corner with four seconds left would’ve forced overtime had it fallen. But the shot clanged off of the rim, the Governors rebounded and the Cougars (15-13) fell short of winning a second state title in four seasons.
“As poor as we shot today, I couldn’t have been happier to have a shot to put the game into overtime,” Cougars coach Landon Pittman said. “But credit Nelson County’s defense.
“They forced us into tough shots all day.”
The Cougars made just 17 of 57 field goal attempts against a Nelson County team that pressured the ball incessantly in the half-court. Cougars stars Vincent Batten (15 points) and John Newman (14 points) were a combined 11-for-29 from the field.
The Cougars stayed in the hunt with tough man-to-man defense early and a solid 2-3 zone in the second half. The Governors (28-1) hit only 17 of their 45 field goal attempts, and star guard Thomas Brown was just 4-for-12.
But Brown (16 points) and backcourt mate T.J. Martin (14 points) cashed in on their late opportunities to lead the Governors to their first state crown. The teams were tied 24-all at halftime and Nelson County led 40-33 after three quarters. But Surry started the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to snatch a 41-40 lead with 5:51 to play.
Newman began the run with a bank shot inside. Batten followed by nailing consecutive 3-pointers to give the Cougars a one-point lead.
Martin reversed the momentum by blocking Batten’s 3-point attempt on Surry’s next possession. Brown rebounded and passed to Martin, who converted a three-point play to put Nelson County ahead 43-41.
Trent Porter, who finished with a game-high 19 rebounds, hit two free throws after grabbing an offensive board to tie the game at 43 with 5:04 to go.
Martin retaliated by draining a 3-pointer to give the Governors a 46-43 lead with 4:54 left. A defensive battle of attrition followed as time wound down.
The Cougars forced the Governors into four turnovers and a missed shot in their next five possessions. But the Cougars shaved only one point off of Nelson County’s lead because they missed four shots and turned the ball over twice.
Brown hit one of two free throws to make it 47-44 with 37.7 seconds to play. Then he came up big defensively, stealing the ball from Surry point guard Montell White. Brown was fouled and hit one of two free throws to make it 48-44 with 28.1 seconds left.
“I had been poking at the ball all day, not trying to steal it,” Brown said. “(White) was so used to me poking at it, that I went for the steal at the end of the game and it was successful.”
But that didn’t settle the matter. Craig Evans hit a long 3-pointer to pull Surry to within 48-47 with 18.4 seconds remaining. Martin’s two free throws with 9.4 seconds to go pushed the Governors’ lead to 50-47.
That gave Batten one last chance to continue Surry’s improbable run at a state title.
“I knew it was short,” Batten said of the 3-pointer. “I tried to get it off quickly because I knew time was running down.”
But the Cougars should have a good shot at returning to Richmond next season. Leading scorers Newman (19.0 ppg) and Batten (13.2 ppg) return, along with point guard White (7.1 apg).
“This was a big learning experience for all of us,” Newman said. “We’re going to sharpen some things and we’ll definitely be back next year.”
NELSON COUNTY 50, SURRY COUNTY 46
NELSON COUNTY (28-1): T. J. Martin 14, C. Jones 6, Brown 16, M. Jones 10, Washington 2, Tr. Martin 2. Totals 17 11-16 50.
SURRY COUNTY (15-13): White 3, Newman 14, Batten 15, Porter 9, Evans 6. Totals 17 8-12 47.
Nelson Co. 15 9 16 10 — 50
Surry Co. 7 17 9 14 — 47
3-point goals — Nelson County 5 (T.J. Martin 3, Brown, M. Jones), Surry County 5 (Batten 3, Evans 2). Total fouls — Nelson County 12, Surry County 11. Fouled out — Minerve (Surry).
HIGHLIGHTS:
With 5:04 left in the game, Surry and Nelson County are tied 43-43
4:50 N Martin 3 Nelson 46-43
3:58 Television time out, Nelson's ball
3:03 Foul N Jones. S Newman shoots two. Makes the first, Surry calls time before the second shot. Misses the second. N 46-44
1:50 Nelson County calls time
Nelson turnover, surry's ball with 1:38 left
1:33 Foul S Batten. Only the team's fifth, no bonus.
1:08 Foul S Batten. His third, team's sixth. Nelson ball
47.6 Jump ball, Nelson keeps possession.
43.0 Nelson County calls time.
37.7 Foul Surry. N Brown shoots 1-1. makes first, misses second. 47-44.
34.4 Surry calls time.
28.1 Nelson steals the ball, foul on Surry's Montel White. N Brown shoots 1-1. Makes the first, misses the second 48-44
18.4 Surry's Evans nails a 3, then Surry calls time. Nelson 48, Surry 47. Nelson will have the ball at the far end ofr the court.
11.4 Nelson calls time, has the ball around midcourt.
9.4 Foul on Surry's Porter. Nelson's Martin shoots 1-1. makes the first. 49-47, makes the second 50-47.
Time out called by Nelson, I think.
9.4 seconds left, Nelson County leads 50-47. Surry has the ball at the far end of the court.
2.2 seconds left. Nelson's ball. Surry's 3 short and goes out of bounds.
FINAL SCORE: NELSON COUNTY 50, SURRY COUNTY 47
Nelson County spoils Surry’s quest for a second state basketball title in four seasons.
By MARTY O’BRIEN | mobrien@dailypress.com | 247-4963
RICHMOND — A month ago, as Surry County High struggled to reach .500, few would’ve given the Cougars any chance to win a state championship. They had plenty of opportunities in the final minutes of the Group A Division 1 final on Saturday at the Siegel Center, but could not cash in on them in a 50-47 loss to Nelson County.
Vincent Batten’s 3-point attempt from the left corner with four seconds left would’ve forced overtime had it fallen. But the shot clanged off of the rim, the Governors rebounded and the Cougars (15-13) fell short of winning a second state title in four seasons.
“As poor as we shot today, I couldn’t have been happier to have a shot to put the game into overtime,” Cougars coach Landon Pittman said. “But credit Nelson County’s defense.
“They forced us into tough shots all day.”
The Cougars made just 17 of 57 field goal attempts against a Nelson County team that pressured the ball incessantly in the half-court. Cougars stars Vincent Batten (15 points) and John Newman (14 points) were a combined 11-for-29 from the field.
The Cougars stayed in the hunt with tough man-to-man defense early and a solid 2-3 zone in the second half. The Governors (28-1) hit only 17 of their 45 field goal attempts, and star guard Thomas Brown was just 4-for-12.
But Brown (16 points) and backcourt mate T.J. Martin (14 points) cashed in on their late opportunities to lead the Governors to their first state crown. The teams were tied 24-all at halftime and Nelson County led 40-33 after three quarters. But Surry started the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to snatch a 41-40 lead with 5:51 to play.
Newman began the run with a bank shot inside. Batten followed by nailing consecutive 3-pointers to give the Cougars a one-point lead.
Martin reversed the momentum by blocking Batten’s 3-point attempt on Surry’s next possession. Brown rebounded and passed to Martin, who converted a three-point play to put Nelson County ahead 43-41.
Trent Porter, who finished with a game-high 19 rebounds, hit two free throws after grabbing an offensive board to tie the game at 43 with 5:04 to go.
Martin retaliated by draining a 3-pointer to give the Governors a 46-43 lead with 4:54 left. A defensive battle of attrition followed as time wound down.
The Cougars forced the Governors into four turnovers and a missed shot in their next five possessions. But the Cougars shaved only one point off of Nelson County’s lead because they missed four shots and turned the ball over twice.
Brown hit one of two free throws to make it 47-44 with 37.7 seconds to play. Then he came up big defensively, stealing the ball from Surry point guard Montell White. Brown was fouled and hit one of two free throws to make it 48-44 with 28.1 seconds left.
“I had been poking at the ball all day, not trying to steal it,” Brown said. “(White) was so used to me poking at it, that I went for the steal at the end of the game and it was successful.”
But that didn’t settle the matter. Craig Evans hit a long 3-pointer to pull Surry to within 48-47 with 18.4 seconds remaining. Martin’s two free throws with 9.4 seconds to go pushed the Governors’ lead to 50-47.
That gave Batten one last chance to continue Surry’s improbable run at a state title.
“I knew it was short,” Batten said of the 3-pointer. “I tried to get it off quickly because I knew time was running down.”
But the Cougars should have a good shot at returning to Richmond next season. Leading scorers Newman (19.0 ppg) and Batten (13.2 ppg) return, along with point guard White (7.1 apg).
“This was a big learning experience for all of us,” Newman said. “We’re going to sharpen some things and we’ll definitely be back next year.”
NELSON COUNTY 50, SURRY COUNTY 46
NELSON COUNTY (28-1): T. J. Martin 14, C. Jones 6, Brown 16, M. Jones 10, Washington 2, Tr. Martin 2. Totals 17 11-16 50.
SURRY COUNTY (15-13): White 3, Newman 14, Batten 15, Porter 9, Evans 6. Totals 17 8-12 47.
Nelson Co. 15 9 16 10 — 50
Surry Co. 7 17 9 14 — 47
3-point goals — Nelson County 5 (T.J. Martin 3, Brown, M. Jones), Surry County 5 (Batten 3, Evans 2). Total fouls — Nelson County 12, Surry County 11. Fouled out — Minerve (Surry).
HIGHLIGHTS:
With 5:04 left in the game, Surry and Nelson County are tied 43-43
4:50 N Martin 3 Nelson 46-43
3:58 Television time out, Nelson's ball
3:03 Foul N Jones. S Newman shoots two. Makes the first, Surry calls time before the second shot. Misses the second. N 46-44
1:50 Nelson County calls time
Nelson turnover, surry's ball with 1:38 left
1:33 Foul S Batten. Only the team's fifth, no bonus.
1:08 Foul S Batten. His third, team's sixth. Nelson ball
47.6 Jump ball, Nelson keeps possession.
43.0 Nelson County calls time.
37.7 Foul Surry. N Brown shoots 1-1. makes first, misses second. 47-44.
34.4 Surry calls time.
28.1 Nelson steals the ball, foul on Surry's Montel White. N Brown shoots 1-1. Makes the first, misses the second 48-44
18.4 Surry's Evans nails a 3, then Surry calls time. Nelson 48, Surry 47. Nelson will have the ball at the far end ofr the court.
11.4 Nelson calls time, has the ball around midcourt.
9.4 Foul on Surry's Porter. Nelson's Martin shoots 1-1. makes the first. 49-47, makes the second 50-47.
Time out called by Nelson, I think.
9.4 seconds left, Nelson County leads 50-47. Surry has the ball at the far end of the court.
2.2 seconds left. Nelson's ball. Surry's 3 short and goes out of bounds.
FINAL SCORE: NELSON COUNTY 50, SURRY COUNTY 47