It was round three so far this season (round four could be next Saturday), and both teams came out with the intensity each coach wanted. Blevins took a lead through the first quarter and with Keyonte Wingfield picking up his third foul just seconds into the second quarter, that was advantage Blevins, as Wingfield is a big part of what Nevada does, but the Jays had other plans and only trailed the Hornets by one headed into the break.
The second half started off hot, and it never cooled off, especially in the case of Hornet star Xavier Bazzelle, who poured in a game-high 31 points. Nevada head coach Eddie Beck spoke on his performance after the game, "Man, Xavier hit so many dang tough shots all game. You gotta tip your hat to him."
Fast-forward to late in the fourth when Blevins built a six-point lead, due in large part to Bazzelle and Javi Gomez who hit some big shots and knocked free throws late, but Nevada showed zero quit, as they fought back, in large part with buckets from Kobe Hughey, Keyonte Wingfield, and Tre King (who we'll get to later). Monti Mixon played big late in the game, rebounding and defending, which gave the Jays the possessions they needed for their comeback.
With 23 seconds remaining, down 77-74 Tre King got the ball and with zero hesitation pulled one from deep and watched the ball go through the net with his hand still in the cookie jar, as his confidence was on full display in the final minutes of the fourth and in OT, as he scored 16 of his team-high 21 in the second half and overtime. After the game, King spoke on the shot and the win, "I really don't know what to think right now. I didn't know how it was going to go, but i told myself to pull it. I was playing this game for my grandma who passed recently and we stepped up late and got the win." Nevada would get a stop and force OT.
In overtime, it was all Nevada as they outscored Blevins 13-4 in the extra four minutes to capture another District title. "It was awesome, so many times we could have given up. These kids don't know how to quit. We keep finding ways to win and in OT a lot of times the first teams to score in overtime, they get the momentum and that is what happened. We got here at 4:45 and we got a standing ovation from Blue Jay nation and the kids and I are grateful. We have have such great fans," Coach Eddie Beck said.
King led Nevada with 21 points. Kobe Hughey and Monti Mixon each had big nights with 18 points and 12 boards. Mixon added two massive blocks. Keyonte Wingfield fought through foul trouble all game and finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Rico poured in 11 points, including three threes. Taco Roberson who fouled out early finished with eight points and Hurk Burns played big for Coach Beck and the squad Saturday night on defense while adding eight points.
For the Hornets, Bazzelle was on a tear, scoring 31 points and getting a bucket virtually anytime Coach Dixon needed one. Rilee Faulkner and Javi Gomez each scored 17, with both knocking down big shots in big moments. The Hornets are entering the regional tournament as the 2-seed and will face Taylor on Thursday night at 5:30pm.
The Blue Jays will take on Bradley at 8:30 on Wednesday night.
Both teams played a heck of a game, and the crowds showed out all game long from the opening tip to the final buzzer. We appreciate all the viewers who watched the livestream as the numbers eclipsed 1,900 watching live. Big thanks to Coach Dixon, Coach Woodley, and the administration for allowing us to stream the game and the hospitality.