The Times-Tribune
CORBIN — By Les Dixon / Sports Editor
Corbin coach Tony Pietrowski called it an “instant classic,” while Bell County coach Lewis Morris described it as a “heartbreaker."
The “it” both coaches were referring to was Corbin’s 88-80 quadruple overtime win over Bell County during the first round of the 13th Region Tournament.
The game that had more ups-and-downs than a rollercoaster.
The Redhounds overcame an 11-point first half deficit, their leading scorer (Madison Johnson) fouling out, a one-point deficit in the first overtime and a two point deficit with seven seconds left in the third overtime before using a 9-2 run during the final two minutes of the fourth overtime to advance to Saturday’s semifinal game against Clay County.
“What a great game,” Corbin coach Tony Pietrowski said. “You had two teams out there playing a high school basketball game and both of them put everything on the line. This is an instant classic. Both teams had kids hitting big shots and that’s just something great to see.
“Like I said, to me, this is an instant classic,” he added. “There were times in the back of my mind I thought we were going to win and there were times in the back of my mind I thought we might lose. We just tried to stay in the moment.”
It’s not the first time Pietrowski had to endure such an emotional game. He played in a 102-99 triple overtime loss against Jackson County during the 13th Region Tournament in 1994.
“I really think it’s more grueling coaching on the sidelines,” he admitted.
Pietrowski wasn’t the only one that has experienced playing in an overtime contest in the 13th Region Tournament.
Morris said before his team left Log Mountain, he told his players about a game he played more than 25 years ago.
“This was definitely a flashback,” he said. “In 1984, I played for Cumberland when we beat Corbin in a six overtime game. I was a junior then and it was the longest game played in the state at that time. The only thing different is that we won that game, but lost this one.”
Corbin needed every single player to step up against Bell County.
With Johnson scoring only five points on one-of-11 shooting from the floor, Wilson answered the call and led his team with a game-high 43 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the floor and 12-of-18 from the free-throw line. He only missed 15 seconds of action during the entire game and that’s when he had to be taken out after being shook up on a pick.
His 43-point output is the most by a Redhound player in a postseason game since Bo Roaden scored 42 against Knott County Central during 1991’s Sweet Sixteen.
“I’ll just tell you, I am wore out,” Wilson said. “We faced a lot of obstacles in this game. First off, Madison is the heart and soul of the team, and he goes out with five fouls. I knew somebody needed to pick up the load, so I did.
“I might be small, but I do have a chip on my shoulder,” he added. “I never thought I would score 43 points in a high school game, that’s for sure. When I was little, I was told I wouldn’t be able to make it at the high school level because of my size, but I did. But again, I never would have expected that I would score 43 points.”
Sophomore Travis Smith rose to the occasion, too.
With Corbin trailing 77-75 with two seconds left, he nailed two free throws to send the game into the fourth overtime. He finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds, while connecting on 12-of-18 free throws attempts.
“Travis Smith stepped up and hit some huge free throws,” Pietrowski said. “He was clutch tonight.”
Smith said he didn’t feel any pressure when the game was on the line at the end of the third overtime.
“After I hit the first one, I told myself, ‘I knew I could do this’”, he said. “I’ve been a part of a middle school state tournament and a high school state tournament, but this is the most exciting game I’ve been a part of.
“I knew I needed to step up my game and the good Lord helped me do it,” he added.
Both teams struggled to put any runs together the entire game and the Bobcats looked to have Corbin on the ropes in the third overtime after a Keith Lowe layup and a Ben Madon free throw gave their team a 77-75 lead with seven seconds remaining.
“I thought we gave a good effort out there tonight,” Morris said. “If we make our free throws and get a couple of calls, then we win the game.
“It seemed like late in the game any time they had a loose ball they would get bailed out. We might have fouled on those, but heck they could have let one go,” Lewis smiled. “I told my kids if we could get to the region, then at least we’ve given ourselves a chance to see what we can do. I thought we played a good game out there.”
Pietrowski’s squad won’t get to celebrate the win long.
“As enjoyable as this win was, I told our guys we need to refocus tomorrow and get ready for our next game,” he said.
Corbin finished the game connecting on 24-of-63 shot attempts and 32-of-51 from the free-throw line, while turning the ball over only 11 times.
The Bobcats hit 32-of-59 shot attempts from the floor and 11-of-22 from the free-throw line and turned the ball over 24 times.
13th Region Tournament
First Round at The Arena
Corbin 88, Bell County 80
Bell County 16 21 9 11 4 9 7 3 80
Corbin 13 23 11 10 4 9 7 11 88
Bell County (80) - Madon 22, Robbins 22, Lee 13, Hilton 3, Lowe 4, Raines 2, Lefevers 7, Patterson 7.
Corbin (88) - Wilson 43, Johnson 5, Taylor 5, Smith 16, Manns 5, Freeman 9, Jones 5.
