By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
Brenden Johnson scored 25 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer with 13.7 left in overtime Friday as El Dorado stunned Lake Hamilton 68-67 at Wildcat Arena.
The Wolves lost for just the third time this season in 17 games.
Lake Hamilton erased a 17-point halftime deficit and used an 11-0 run to take a 54-50 lead with 3:12 left in the fourth.
After Joderrio Ramey fouled out and with the Wolves circling Johnson, the Wildcats went down into the low post to Keshun Greene.
The senior responded, scoring El Dorado’s final eight points of regulation.
After hitting two free throws, Greene went one-on-one on the right block for a bucket to close the gap to 56-54.
On the defensive end, El Dorado’s Brendan Simmons stepped up to draw an offensive foul in the lane.
El Dorado went back to Greene, who scored again on the right block, tying the game 56-56 with 1:45 left in the fourth.
Lake Hamilton’s Clyde Hill scored off an offensive putback but Greene retaliated again, again on the right block to knot the score at 58-58 with 1:05 remaining.
“I just had to step up as a senior and make something happen so we could get the W,” said Greene. “I just told them the guy in front of me couldn’t guard me. I just showed him that he couldn’t.”
The Wolves tried to hold for the final shot but were whistled for traveling with 2.0 on the clock.
Johnson’s three-quarters court heave banged off the glass, sending the game into overtime.
Greene scored again to start the extra session.
But, the Wolves took a 65-60 advantage after a free throw and a pair of three-point plays by Hill and Mondo Watkins.
El Dorado got three of those back when Johnson drove to the hoop for the basket, plus the foul, which was the fifth on Lake Hamilton point guard, Watkins.
El Dorado applied some defensive pressure and got a steal, which led to a breakaway dunk by Greene, to tie the game.
The Wolves went back on top on a basket by Kanaan Williams with 1:13 left to play.
With Lake Hamilton now double-teaming Greene, the Wildcats looked elsewhere for offense. Greene stepped out to the perimeter and drove into the lane.
He kicked it out to Johnson, who drained a 3-pointer from the wing with 13.7 on the clock.
“I know he’s a shooter. He does it all the time so I just put my trust in him,” Greene said.
The Wildcats nailed down the victory on the defensive end, forcing a turnover with 7.6 on the clock.
The Wolves fouled Johnson with 5.3 left. The junior missed two free throws, giving Lake Hamilton time for a final shot.
The Wolves rushed the ball into the front court before Khalil Shelton deflected the ball away from the dribbler to preserve the win.
“It boosts our confidence a lot because we had the loss Tuesday. I think this win really helped us,” said Greene.
“We had a good win. We just have to keep the intensity.”
Greene finished with 18 points for the Wildcats with Ramey finishing with 11.
Watkins scored 20 for Lake Hamilton, hitting 8-of-9 at the line in the fourth quarter. Lane Kersey and Williams each scored 13 and Hill finished with 10.
The Wildcats led 38-21 at the half before Lake Hamilton closed to within 45-35 going into the fourth.
MCGEHEE 62,
JUNCTION CITY 54
JUNCTION CITY - The Owls led 16-10 after the opening period and steadily increased their advantage on their win to collecting a road win in Class 3A-4A District 12 play.
The visitors led 30-20 at intermission and 39-30 after three periods before winning by the final margin.
Jerrodney Tubbs led Junction City with 12 points, while Terrell Gibson and Jalen Davis had nine points apiece.
Hishmma Taylor added eight points for the Dragons.
Zac Henry had 26 points and Deonta Haynes added 11 points for the Owls.
SMACKOVER 64,
CROSSETT 55
SMACKOVER - Smackover (3-9, 3-5) knocked off Crossett in Class 3A-4A District 12 play behind the hot hand of Jaqueze Modica, who scored 20 points. Roshard Boone chipped in with 14 points.
Kyler Candley led the Eagles with 13.
WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN 62,
GARRETT MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN 38
HOPE - Zachary Scriber had 22 points for the Warriors (13-5, 4-1), who cruised to a road win in AACS South play.
Viraj Vora had 16 points and Stephfan Tabe chipped in with 13 points for the Warriors.
In the junior boys game, West Side Christian downed Garrett Memorial Christian 36-23.
Ashton Yarbrough had 15 points and Zackley Pearson added 10 points for the Warriors (6-3, 4-1).