Sagemont (FL) held on in a Beach Ball Classic thriller for a 50-49 victory over Knott County (KY) to advance into the semifinal round of the 2014 Beach Ball Classic at the Myrtle Beach (SC) Convention Center.
Sagemont (11-2; Weston, FL) built its largest lead of the contest at 43-29 with 9:06 to play in the second half on a layup by Keyshawn Evans. Knott County (9-1; Hindman, KY) fought back with a 15-1 run to knot the score at 44-44 on a 3-point basket by Cameron Justice with 4:08 to play. The teams continued to trade baskets and Austin Combs tied the game for the final time at 49-49 with just eight seconds to play.
Following a timeout by Knott County, Sagemont in-bounded the ball in the backcourt and was immediately fouled as the Patriots had a foul to give. On the ensuing in-bound play, Austin Combs fouled Luis Hurtado thinking that Knott County still had one foul to give. The foul was a seventh of the half for the Patriots and sent Hurtado to the line with four seconds remaining for a one-and-one. Hurtado sank the first free throw but missed the second as Chance Cornett grabbed the rebound and raced toward midcourt. His last-second heave hit hit the front of the rim to end the contest.
Prince Ali led Sagemont with 14 points while Knott County was paced by Evan Hall’s 14 points and 15 rebounds.
