Parkers Chapel outlasts England

News-Times Staff

JUDSONIA - Thanks to their defense and a key missed free throw, Parkers Chapel is headed to the state semifinals.

Nate Garrett-Evans was one of four players in double figures with 20 points, as Parkers Chapel outlasted England 60-54 in overtime in the quarterfinals of the 2A State Tournament on Thursday.

With the game tied at 47-all, the Trojans made several key stops at the end of regulation, including a big blocked shot by Amari Bell to keep the game tied.

The Trojans then caught a break, as a missed free throw with six seconds left kept the game knotted at 47-all.

The extra session belonged to the Trojans (29-3), who outscored the Lions 13-7 to move on.

The Trojans, who are the 2A South regional champions who extended their winning streak to 18 straight, and they will take on Earle at 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon with a spot in the state finals at stake.

"We tied the ballgame up with about a minute and a half left," said Parkers Chapel coach Josh Langley. "We made some huge defensive stops with none bigger than Amari Bell's massive block with 30 seconds left.

"We tried to play for the last shot, but they were able to make a steal and Dawson Goodwin fouled with about six seconds left. That was his fifth foul.

"They went to the line and missed the first shot, and we were unable to get a good look to win regulation.

"We took over in overtime thanks to the hustle plays of Canon Morgan and Amari Bell."

Free throws were the story for the Trojans in the extra session, as Garrett-Evans and Morgan combined to go 12-for-12 from the charity stripe.

Bell added 15 points, while Morgan and Goodwin each had 12 points apiece.

Josh Osborn had six blocked shots for the Trojans.

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