The Shadow
LOW MOOR – In a nail-biting finish that left the fans talking about after the game, it was Alleghany that managed to secure their seventh straight win following a thrilling 59-55 non-district victory over Lord Botetourt this past Friday in front of a packed house that hung onto every moment until the final buzzer.
It was all about the final quarter and final minutes of the game.
After a closely contested game throughout, the two teams were separated by a mere one point entering the fourth quarter as the Cougars held onto their halftime lead.
The fourth quarter brought numerous chances for Lord Botetourt to tie or even take the lead. While the Cavaliers made big shots, they could never get that clutch-defining shot to drop.
It was Alleghany though who came up big in the clutch moments, including going 4-for-4 at the free-throw line in the game’s final minute that helped seal the teams ninth victory of the season.
With how the fourth quarter had gone for Lord Botetourt with missed opportunities it seemed that them being down six points with less than two minutes left was a wrap on the game.
However, the Cavaliers extended the game for as long as they could.
Down six points, Brady Kish, who had missed a chance to tie the game with three minutes left on a 3-point attempt, cut the deficit in half with a 3-pointer.
Trailing only 55-52 with 1:30 remaining, Botetourt just needed one stop, and they would have a chance to potentially tie the game.
Carson Edwards who was third in scoring for the Cavaliers had his biggest impact of the game felt as he drew a charge as the Cougars were looking to ice the game.
Now with a chance to potentially tie the game, Alleghany’s interior defense made it tough for Botetourt to get a clean look. Landon Hayes got a decent look at a 3-pointer but missed as it hit the back rim.
Botetourt would foul to extend the game and send Alleghany to the free-throw line.
The turning point of the game came down to the clutch free-throw shooting from Alleghany. After the missed 3-point attempt, Eli Entsminger drew the foul and knocked down both of his free throws to put the Cougars back up four points at 57-52.
The Cavaliers would bring the ball down the court and Hayes would this time knock down the 3-point attempt as he found a better look at the rim.
Needing to continue to extend the game Botetourt had to foul and hope that Alleghany would miss their free throws. Bubby Entsminger, would not, and came up big in the moment as he knocked down both and pushed the Cougars lead back up to four points at 59-55.
Not wanting to give Botetourt any chance at quickly getting down the court to fire off a 3-pointer, Alleghany would foul multiple times as they weren’t near the foul limits.
With the ball by their side of the bench Botetourt inbounded the ball and got the ball inside, but a bad pass was picked off by Xzavier Hayslett, just like he did a handful of times during the football season. Hayslett would bring the ball up the court untouched as Alleghany would run out the clock.
Leading the way for Alleghany was Hayslett and Jalen Raether who each had 14 points, while B. Entsminger and Chase DePriest added 10 each.
Hayes scored a game-high 18 leading the way for Botetourt, while Blake Lovern scored 13.
The win moved Alleghany to 9-3 overall.
Lord Botetourt 16 6 15 18 – 55
Alleghany 18 9 11 21 – 59
NOTE: Alleghany extended their win streak to eight games on Tuesday evening following a 58-55 victory over Glenvar. Bubby Entsminger hit a game-winning 3-pointer with under two seconds left in the game. Unable to make it to our Thursday print, we’ll have the full recap on our website & social media platforms, while also in our print on Monday.
