By Ashley Hargrove
TANNER — Lamac Askins didn’t have much to say following Clements’ 58-49 overtime win over Lexington Friday night.
But the Colts sophomore didn’t have to. The mile-wide smile on his face as he exited the locker room into a mob of Clements fans said it all.
Trailing 44-42 with just seconds remaining in the game, Askins raced down the floor, forced himself inside the paint, rolled the basketball off his fingers and into the basket to knot the score at 44 as time expired, sending the game into overtime and giving his team a new life.
“Everything was going through my mind just before the end of regulation — the good and the bad,” Askins said. “I was hoping we would win it out in overtime and happy to please the team.”
Brandon Sanderfer opened the extra play with a three to give the Colts a 47-44 advantage. Lexington knotted the game again on a three by Hunter Roberson, but Clements answered with a 5-0 run to pull ahead 52-47 with 1:06 left to play. Will Shirley hit a layup for the Golden Bears as they tried to make a comeback but it wasn’t enough as Clements outscored them 6-0 for the win.
“Lamac hustled his tail off and played really well for us tonight,” Clements head coach Brian Gafford said. “The main thing is our guys never quit.”
Lexington started the game on a 12-0 run and led 19-6 after one quarter. They would lead 26-22 at the half and 35-26 at the end of the third before the Colts inched their way back in the game, sending it to overtime.
Sanderfer led Clements with 16 points. Luke Moore added 14, followed by Garrett Browning with 11.
With the win, the Colts will face Tanner Monday night in the finals of the Class 2A, Area 16 tournament.
Tanner 65, Westminster Christian 57
Despite multiple lead changes throughout the third quarter and into the fourth, the Rattlers took the lead for good with 2:38 left to play on a basket by Tray Cosby to help keep their season alive.
The teams entered halftime with the score tied at 29. Westminster took a 47-43 advantage into the third quarter.
Marquis McDonald led Tanner with 26 points. Matthew Hines tossed in 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Terrence Pendleton, Brandon Waite and Tray Cosby each added seven points.
West Limestone 50, Randolph 40
The Wildcats got 19 points from Preston Herring in the win. Brady Clay tossed in 14 followed by Austin Adams with nine.
With the win, West Limestone advances to play Madison Academy Monday night in the finals of the Class 3A, Area 15 tournament.
Ardmore 63, Brooks 53
Kevin Shelton scored a game high 21 points for the Tigers who never trailed in the Class 4A, Area 15 tournament. Matt Teeples recorded 13 while Kyle Jordan contributed with 10.
Ardmore will play East Lawrence Monday night in the finals.
