No. 8 FOX CREEK 62, STROM THURMOND 46
PETTICOAT JUNCTION — Fox Creek's boys basketball team talked Friday about what happened the night before.
A double-digit lead over rival Strom Thurmond, a chance for the eighth-ranked Predators to lock up a long-awaited region title on their home floor, vanished as the Rebels rallied to force the Region 3-AA title chase to a winner-take-all tiebreaker less than 24 hours later on a neutral court at Silver Bluff.
Another double-digit lead started to slip for the Predators in the fourth quarter Friday, and considering how young this Fox Creek team is it would've been understandable for doubt and that "not again" feeling to start creeping into their minds.
Not these Predators. Not this night.
A 12-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter was cut in half after an A.J. Walker 3-pointer, and suddenly the shorthanded Rebels looked like they may be on the verge of another stunning comeback.
This time, though, Fox Creek had an answer. Senior star Connor Cannon splashed a 3 at the other end to make it 52-43, and then another Fox Creek offensive rebound led to two more second-chance points to push it back to double digits with under 5 minutes to play.Â
"We talked about that. We let them get back in the game last night, but not tonight," Fox Creek head coach Andrew Peckham said after his team's 62-46 victory to lock up the Region 3-AA title and No. 1 seed in the state playoffs. "We were able to just continue — they went on a little run there, but then we pushed it back out. That just shows the composure. We talked about being composed and their maturity. They grew up a lot. Those freshmen aren't freshmen anymore. They're ready, and they're coming. Love 'em. Love these guys. It's a great group to coach, and I couldn't be more proud of them tonight."
There was no more gas left in Strom Thurmond's tank to fuel another rally, and Fox Creek was able to run out the clock. Just like that, not even 24 hours after they walked off their home floor feeling like they let one slip away, the Predators could finally celebrate.
"Man, you talk about a quick turnaround, guys," Peckham said. "And my guys were ready to play. I mean, coming off of that tough loss last night, I just couldn't be more proud of their effort for four quarters. We've been trying to put together a four-quarter game all year long, and they did it. I mean, from wire to wire. I just couldn't be more proud of them."
Cannon led the Predators (18-10) in scoring with 15 points, Brelan Baskett had 13, and freshman Chorsheak White had 11. Cannon and White combined to hit six 3-pointers, including three in the second quarter as the Predators turned a 9-9 tie into a 34-23 lead at the half.
White and fellow freshmen Kobe Sims, Justin Vining, Kaleb Broadwater and A'maree Roberson combined to score 26 points, and they played with poise throughout the game. They were patient — not hesitant — on offense, and at both ends of the floor they and the rest of their teammates crashed the glass to create a big rebounding advantage.Â
"I mean, five freshmen out here playing minutes in a game of this magnitude," Peckham said. "It's exciting for the future, but we're still playing for the now. We've got a 1 seed, and now we've got a chance to go make a run in the state tournament. That's what it's all about. Region championship, man? Over our rival, Strom Thurmond? I mean, I couldn't be more excited for these guys. This is all them, though. It's all them."
Quan Edmond scored 17 to lead Strom Thurmond (20-7), A.J. Walker had 12 and Landen Jones scored nine. Roosevelt Walker, who scored 21 points in Thursday's win but needed help off the court late, was limited to four points.
It took a gritty effort for the Rebels, with eight players listed on the roster and essentially six playing all of the minutes, just to reach this point. Yet they won four consecutive games, including Thursday's, to force the tiebreaker.Â
The defending region champs will have to settle for the No. 2 seed this year, however, as Fox Creek is a No. 1 for the first time since the 2014-15 Predators went all the way to the Class A title game.Â
"It's been a long time coming, and these guys deserved it. It's hard to win region championships, as you can tell. Strom Thurmond, well-coached veteran team, and we've had three battle games. Credit to Coach (Owen) Jacobs and his guys. But tonight, we're the champs, man. Region champs, 2024, and I couldn't be more proud."
The Class AA boys playoffs begin Tuesday, which will give both teams a breather after playing on back-to-back nights. Both teams will be at home for the first round, with Fox Creek hosting Region 4-AA's No. 4 seed and Strom Thurmond hosting Region 4-AA's No. 3.
