Dramatic finish
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Even though the Charles Henderson Trojans were able to pull out a 49-47 victory at home on Tuesday night over Greenville, it’s not to say the game didn’t have a dramatic finish.
The Trojans led through much of the game, however, thanks to a late push by the Tigers, it could have been all for not.
“If we were on the road, we could have lost this game,” head coach Carl Hollis told his team in the locker room.
“We won, but it was not pretty.”
CHHS nearly blew a 10-point lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game thanks to poor free throw shooting and costly turnovers.
The Tigers were able to pull within one point with 30 seconds left in the game, however could not obtain the lead and eventually ran out of time.
After a Trojan free throw to make it a two-point lead, the Tigers were able to come back down the court to fire one last 3-pointer that bounced of the rim, and in the process, securing the Trojan win.
“The last two minutes took the joy from this win for me,” Hollis said.
Through the first to quarters of the game, CHHS dominated, outscoring Greenville 12-2 in the first quarter and 18-15 in the second, jumping out to a 3-17 win.
The second half was a different story, as the Tigers outscored the Trojans 15-6 in the third and 15-9 in the fourth.
“This game teaches me that we need to go to work,” the coach said.
“With a game like this, I saw that we were tired, but I kept pushing [the players].”
Hollis benched some of his players during the game because of missed practices. “These players have to be committed to this team and that is what we are trying to teach them,” Hollis said. Greg Pollard led the way for the Trojans with 16 points, while Michael Zachary added another 15.
The Trojans made just nine of its 16 free throws and committed 17 turnovers in the win. “We gave up too many open looks to some of their best shooters and we didn’t do a good job of stopping their guards when they drove to the basket,” Hollis said.
“[Greenville’s] transition game was very strong and they showed it tonight.”
The win improves CHHS to 4-2, and 3-0 at home.
“A game like this doesn’t really make me worry as it does get me ready to go back to work,” Hollis said.
“I want to get these kids better at the game and make them tougher. A game like this is also good to see at this point in the season. “We need to know where to improve upon and where are strengths are – games like this can only make us better,” the coach added.
The Trojans will be back in action on Friday, as the team plays host to Jeff Davis High School.
The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m, tip-off.