A team that never needs a reason to run finally had good reason to apply the brakes. After taking a comfortable double-digit lead in the first half, Lookout Valley let its fast pace lead to mistakes, turnovers and an 11-2 Arts & Sciences run in the third quarter.
But the Yellow Jackets used a more methodical approach to their offensive possessions in the fourth, getting the ball to sophomore post Jaylen Bates on three of their final five possessions, which resulted in layups each time and a late rally for a 38-35 win in the District 4-A championship game.
“Our kids like to run, but they’re learning there’s a time when we need to slow things down and run set plays, and that’s what we did late,” said Lookout Valley coach Mike Morton. “Jaylen is who we wanted to get the ball to, but he’s only a sophomore and sometimes he doesn’t demand it as much as he should. We did what we were supposed to on those last few possessions.
“We had won here earlier this season, so that gave the guys some confidence, and I really believe our kids felt like they were the better team and were going to find a way to get it done.
“But those last few seconds probably took some time off my life.”
Lookout Valley’s first district tournament title in eight seasons didn’t come without some late dramatics as Arts & Sciences missed three 3-point attempts in the final six seconds.
Lookout Valley (18-8) will host the fourth-place team from District 3, between Sunbright and Wartburg who play tonight, in the Region 2-A semifinals on Saturday, when Arts & Sciences (13-10) will host the winner between Sunbright and Wartburg.
The 4-A finalists had split their two regular-season meetings, each winning by double figures on the other’s home court. The Patriots were looking for their 11th district tournament title under longtime coach Mark Dragoo, who is retiring after this, his 30th season.
The Yellow Jackets led for all but the first five minutes of the first half and maintained their advantage until a Jordan Morris layup early in the fourth put the Patriots back in front. Morris scored CSAS’s first seven points in the fourth, helping give his team a three-point lead that was held until just over three minutes remained.
That’s when Lookout Valley began feeding the ball into the Jackets’ burly sophomore post, who helped swing momentum.
Senior point guard Allen Ray battled foul trouble throughout the second half but made a pair of free throws with 14 seconds remaining to push the Yellow Jackets lead to three and eventually provide the winning margin for their ninth straight win.
“We’ve been playing together a long time, so we kind of know when it’s time to slow things down and look for the best shot,” said Ray, who was named tournament MVP despite scoring just two points in the title game. “We had several guys step up and make big plays when we needed them, and coming into their gym to win like this should give us a lot of confidence that we can beat anybody.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.