News Detail
Tigers Defeat Collegiate
TIGERS WIN in Final Seconds!!
Written By: Harrison H. Williamson III '12The Woodberry Forest Tigers have moved on to the Prep League Semi-Finals after a nail-biting victory over the Collegiate Cougars. This game went back and forth and came down to the final 16 seconds - a familiar story for the Tigers this season.
To start off the game, small forward/power forward Jack Flournoy drained a 3-point jump shot. In response, Collegiate scored 12 points unanswered. The fans had to wonder, "Where was Woodberry’s usual strong defense and consistent offense?" Eventually, the offense was finally able to score and closed out the first quarter down six to the Cougars, 20 to 14.
The Tigers’ defense showed up in the second quarter as Coach Justus opted to switch from a weak man-to-man defense to a stifling 1-3-1 zone. The Cougars couldn’t adjust properly and only scored eight in the quarter, flustered by the change. Woodberry, taking advantage of its tough defensive play, scored 14 in the quarter. The Prep League Quarterfinal game was tied 28-28.
The Collegiate Cougars came out of halftime ready to attack the Tigers, with new changes to their own defense, but Coach Justus quickly changed back to man-to-man. The Cougars could not adjust to the always-changing Tiger D. With the defense forcing turnovers, fast break opportunities were available, including a powerful two-handed slam from Jack Flournoy, an easy layup from James Long, and facny offensive options from CJ Prosise. With the crowd large and loud, Woodberry was in control of the game going into the final quarter. The score was 45 to 38.
The crowd was in a frenzy.
When later asked where the power from his dunk came from, Chuisseu softly said, "I was so angry. That's all there is to it."
Even with Chuisseu's dunk, Collegiate led 49 to 48, but without knowing the score one would think Woodberry had just taken the lead. With under 30 seconds left Woodberry was down 50 to 48. Guard CJ Prosise, arguably the fastest player on the team, shifted around Collegiate defenders to attempt a layup. Prosise went up, released the ball, and a whistle was called for a foul as the whole gym watched the ball hit the backboard and roll off the rim.
Woodberry was still down 50 to 48.
With 12 seconds left on the clock, Prosise made the first free throw, but missed the second. Outmatched in the paint, Kevin Chuisseu grabbed the offensive rebound and came down hard protecting the ball. Coach Justus quickly called a timeout to draw up a game winning play. Back on the floor, the Collegiate Cougars would not allow a man to be open and Coach Justus had to call his last timeout just before the five second count gave the ball to Collegiate. The crowd was silent and hopeful.
The play called was designed to get James Long open for a 3-pointer, but Collegiate saw it coming. CJ Prosise, who was inbounding the ball, was frantically looking for an open man - now with no timeouts remaining in his pocket. There wasn’t one. But at the last second Jack Flournoy rolled to the basket, wide open. Prosise inbounded the ball to Flournoy. Flournoy rose for a layup as Collegiate defenders rushed to stifle the shot.
They were too late. Flournoy calmly adjusted under the pressure and finished hard giving his team the lead 51 to 50.
Collegiate immediately inbounded the ball, drove up court, and called a timeout under the Tigers basket with less than 7 seconds remaining. The Cougars discussed their options, drew up a play, and looked ready. Collegiate attempted to inbound the ball, but Jack Flournoy swatted the pass out of bounds. Collegiate then tried to give the ball to their point guard, but James Long forced the ball out of bounds. There were still six seconds left.
Collegiate finally got the ball inbounded on the third attempt. The ball was passed three times and their point guard attempted a 3-point shot. At first it looked true – a sight the Dick Gym has seen many times this year. But the ball hit the back iron and the buzzer sounded as the ball fell to the floor. The score was 52-51. The Tigers had done it.
The Tigers jumped from their bench, hugging each other and rushing the center of the court. The crowd went crazy. Woodberry had won. The Woodberry fans went wild storming out of the bleachers eager to greet their classmates as they came through the handshake line with the Cougar players.
A lay up that advanced the Tigers to the Semi-final round of the Prep League Tournament. Flournoy had great help from his teammates today as both CJ Prosise and James Long added 10 apiece.
Tigers advance to Friday night's 7:30 p.m. semi-final game at St. Christopther's School where they will face host team St. Christopher's. Earlier this season St. Chris beat WFS by one point at the Dick Gym and Woodberry beat St. Chris on the road weeks later. Come early to get a seat in what will surely be a packed St. Chris house! You don't want to miss it.
GO TIGERS!
