Chris Ross hit a free throw with 4.8 seconds left to lift the Mingo Central Miners to a 50-49 win over the 3rd-ranked (AAA) Logan Wildcats on Tuesday at Mingo Central High School.
The Miners (4-3) got out to a strong start and held a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, the Wildcats (5-4) fought back and took a 21-16 lead at the half. Logan maintained its lead in the third period and took a 36-30 lead into the final quarter of play.
The Miners clawed back and found themselves tied, 49-49, near the end of the game. Ross was then fouled with 4.8 seconds showing on the clock. He hit the front end of the bonus, but missed the second shot. Logan was able to get off a shot as time expired, but it was off the mark.
“This win will hopefully give us a little momentum,” said Mingo Central head coach Stan Elkins. “The consistency hasn’t always been there, but we’re built around defense. Even when you are not scoring like you would like, defense will help carry you.
“We were behind a lot of the night, but they kept playing hard,” added Elkins. “We were behind by nine points twice. Defense got us a few easy buckets, and we beat a pretty good Logan team.”
Kendan Trent led Mingo Central with 11 points. Matt Hatfield and Jake Cline followed with 9 points each. Ross, Ethan Thomason and Malaki Sheppard scored 7 points apiece in the win.
For Logan, Scotty Browning led all scorers with 20 points. Drew Berry scored 6 points. Ivan Miller added 5 points. Garrett Williamson and McCormick Ilderton had 4 points each. Cole Blankenship dropped in 3 points each. Julius Clancy and Derrick Browning chipped in 2 points apiece.
Mingo Central will play regional foe Wyoming East on Friday at 7:30 pm. Logan will next play at Winfield on Friday in a 7:30 pm match up.
Photos Courtesy of Samantha Waine