NewsAthleticsUpper School
Tigers best Coosa for 7-AA boys' title
Feb 20, 2007 10:24 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Written by David Dawson, Rome News-Tribune sports writer, published 2/18/07
There were tournament championship basketball games all across the state Saturday night, but it’s hard to believe that any of them were as engaging as the one that took place at Georgia Highlands College. It’s equally hard to imagine that any trophy-winning team was more elated, or more exhausted, than the Darlington Tigers.
With star guard Corey Roper driving the pack, the third-ranked Tigers downed fourth-ranked Coosa 82-79 in a wild-and-wully Region 7-AA championship game, giving Darlington its second straight region tourney title. Roper finished with 27 points, 18 of which came on six 3-pointers. His counterpart, Coosa’s Corey Edmondson, erupted for 37, but his gallant effort wasn’t enough to prevent Darlington (23-2) from repeating.
“Being a senior and winning two straight titles is the best thing I can even think of,” said a smiling Roper. “It’s just – I don’t know, man — wonderful.”
Darlington and Coosa (23-4) will both host opening-round state tournament games next Saturday. Darlington plays Buford (led by former Model coach Milt Travis) and Coosa meets Decatur.
“We know there’s some stiff competition ahead,” said Darlington coach Jim Van Es, “but for now, we’re going to enjoy tonight’s win for a couple of days.”
As well they should, for it certainly was a war. With the old gym at GHC rockin’ perhaps louder than ever, the game contained a whopping 23 lead changes, with the final twist of momentum being the biggest.
Darlington trailed 78-75 with 3:19 to go in the fourth quarter before Roper hit a tying 3-pointer to kick-start the Tigers’ 7-1 game-ending run. Darlington secured the victory when Tyshawn Good stole Coosa’s inbounds pass with three seconds left.
Derricus Ellis finished with 20 points for the Tigers, Shawn Powell had 12 and Good 11. For Coosa (23-4), Coleco Kidd had 13 and Derrick Sams 10.
“This was typical Darlington-Coosa, I don’t know what else you could say,” said Van Es. “I know there are times when it looks like the two teams aren’t playing any defense, but that’s simply not true. Both teams just have some tremendous shooters.”
Coosa, making its eighth straight appearance in the finals, hurt its chances with missed free throws. The Eagles were 1-for-6 from the foul line in the fourth quarter, and 4-of-11 for the night. The loss was Coosa’s third to Darlington in four meetings this season, and it ended the Eagles’ 13-game winning streak (which, coincidentally, dated back to a late-December loss to Darlington).
“Our guys left everything they had on the court,” said Coosa coach Larry Bing. “Unfortunately, we made some mental mistakes that we don’t normally make … and at certain times, I think the guys were trying too hard. We missed some easy baskets and some free throws at the end, and Darlington didn’t. That was the difference.”
Both teams continuously took the other’s best punch, and answered back with one of their own. And by the fourth quarter, it was more than evident that the players were completely gassed. Missed lay-ups and air-balled jump shots were the themes of the final eight minutes.
“I didn’t expect to be this tired,” said Roper after both teams completed their third game in three nights. “We played with a lot of emotion, and that (drains) you.”
After combining for 50 points in the first quarter (Coosa led 26-24), the teams combined for only 26 (13 each) on dead legs in the final eight minutes.
“Any time we play Coosa, we know its going to be a hard-fought battle,” said Ben McAbee, who hit three 3s and finished with nine points. “Both teams showed up to play tonight, but we pulled through.”
How exhausting was it? This should tell you: There were eight lead changes – in the game’s first three minutes. By the end of the first quarter, the teams had combined for 21 field goals.
“This was two talented teams going at it,” said Van Es. “We just happened to finish a little stronger than they did.”
There were tournament championship basketball games all across the state Saturday night, but it’s hard to believe that any of them were as engaging as the one that took place at Georgia Highlands College. It’s equally hard to imagine that any trophy-winning team was more elated, or more exhausted, than the Darlington Tigers.
With star guard Corey Roper driving the pack, the third-ranked Tigers downed fourth-ranked Coosa 82-79 in a wild-and-wully Region 7-AA championship game, giving Darlington its second straight region tourney title. Roper finished with 27 points, 18 of which came on six 3-pointers. His counterpart, Coosa’s Corey Edmondson, erupted for 37, but his gallant effort wasn’t enough to prevent Darlington (23-2) from repeating.
“Being a senior and winning two straight titles is the best thing I can even think of,” said a smiling Roper. “It’s just – I don’t know, man — wonderful.”
Darlington and Coosa (23-4) will both host opening-round state tournament games next Saturday. Darlington plays Buford (led by former Model coach Milt Travis) and Coosa meets Decatur.
“We know there’s some stiff competition ahead,” said Darlington coach Jim Van Es, “but for now, we’re going to enjoy tonight’s win for a couple of days.”
As well they should, for it certainly was a war. With the old gym at GHC rockin’ perhaps louder than ever, the game contained a whopping 23 lead changes, with the final twist of momentum being the biggest.
Darlington trailed 78-75 with 3:19 to go in the fourth quarter before Roper hit a tying 3-pointer to kick-start the Tigers’ 7-1 game-ending run. Darlington secured the victory when Tyshawn Good stole Coosa’s inbounds pass with three seconds left.
Derricus Ellis finished with 20 points for the Tigers, Shawn Powell had 12 and Good 11. For Coosa (23-4), Coleco Kidd had 13 and Derrick Sams 10.
“This was typical Darlington-Coosa, I don’t know what else you could say,” said Van Es. “I know there are times when it looks like the two teams aren’t playing any defense, but that’s simply not true. Both teams just have some tremendous shooters.”
Coosa, making its eighth straight appearance in the finals, hurt its chances with missed free throws. The Eagles were 1-for-6 from the foul line in the fourth quarter, and 4-of-11 for the night. The loss was Coosa’s third to Darlington in four meetings this season, and it ended the Eagles’ 13-game winning streak (which, coincidentally, dated back to a late-December loss to Darlington).
“Our guys left everything they had on the court,” said Coosa coach Larry Bing. “Unfortunately, we made some mental mistakes that we don’t normally make … and at certain times, I think the guys were trying too hard. We missed some easy baskets and some free throws at the end, and Darlington didn’t. That was the difference.”
Both teams continuously took the other’s best punch, and answered back with one of their own. And by the fourth quarter, it was more than evident that the players were completely gassed. Missed lay-ups and air-balled jump shots were the themes of the final eight minutes.
“I didn’t expect to be this tired,” said Roper after both teams completed their third game in three nights. “We played with a lot of emotion, and that (drains) you.”
After combining for 50 points in the first quarter (Coosa led 26-24), the teams combined for only 26 (13 each) on dead legs in the final eight minutes.
“Any time we play Coosa, we know its going to be a hard-fought battle,” said Ben McAbee, who hit three 3s and finished with nine points. “Both teams showed up to play tonight, but we pulled through.”
How exhausting was it? This should tell you: There were eight lead changes – in the game’s first three minutes. By the end of the first quarter, the teams had combined for 21 field goals.
“This was two talented teams going at it,” said Van Es. “We just happened to finish a little stronger than they did.”
