Bouncing back from scoring just 46 points in a loss the night before, East Hamilton snapped a seven-period scoring slump to turn an eight-point deficit into an overtime win over Cleveland, Saturday afternoon.
After a nearly even opening period, the Runnin' Raiders (11-6) led 11-10 at the first horn before starting to pull away a little with 9-6 and 13-9 edges in the following two frames.
East Hamilton (14-3) turned the tide in the fourth quarter, blowing to an 18-10 scoring difference to knot the score at 43-all when regulation play ended before claiming a 58-55 win after the extra frame.
In the extra four-minute period, the teams battled back-and-forth, with the Raiders hitting 4-of-6 shots from the field, but made just 2-of-7 at the free throw line, while the host went 7-for-8 at the stripe, plus netted four field goals for the win.
Overall, the foul line played a key role as East Ham sank 17-of-21 (81%), while Cleveland struggled to just 12-for-23 (52%).
Josiah Wiley led the victors down the stretch, netting 17 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and overtime period, including 7-for-7 at the charity stripe.
Donovan Harris hit 5-of-6 "freebies" on his way to 13 points, while Myles Willingham added 10 points, including 3-of-4 at the foul line.
Senior Tim Matthews led the way for the Raiders with 17 points, making 3-of-5 from in front of the arc and 2-for-4 beyond it, plus 2-of-3 at the free throw line.
Classmate Maguire Evans went 4-fot-5 fro distance, plus netted his only two-point try on his way to 13 markers.
Senior Andrew Miolen helped out with eight points, including a long-range bomb, while juniors Barak Ndegwa and Zahkai Williams put in a half dozen each. Williams made 3-of-5 from the field, plus his lone "freebie."
GAME SUMMARY
Saturday, Jan. 25
at Ooltewah
Boys Game
Cleveland 11 9 13 10 12 — 55
East Hamilton 10 6 9 18 15 — 58
RUNNIN' RAIDERS (55) — Tim Matthews 17, Maguire Evans 13, Andrew Miolen 8, Zahkai Williams Williams 6, Barak Ndegwa 6, Reinbold 4, Westfield 1, Lovelace.
HURRICANES (58) — Josiah Wiley 19, Dovovan Harris 13, Myles Willingham 10, P. Harris 4, Haywood 4, Brooks 2, Spangler 2, Hunter 2, Pendleton 2, Dawson, Hefner, E. Harris, McCroskey, Sims.
3-POINTERS: CHS 5 (Evans 4, Miolen); EH 1 (Willingham).
FREE THROWS: CHS 12-of-23; EH 17-of-21.
RECORDS: Cleveland 11-6; East Hamilton 14-3.