The Shadow
He razzle and dazzled opposing defenses during the High School football season for the Covington Cougars.
Now, Javier Yancy, is doing the same in High School basketball.
In the Covington Cougars varsity basketball season opener on Friday, Yancy dropped 30 points to help lift the Cougars past the Galax Maroon Tide by the final score of 48-44.
However, it was anything but easy for the Cougars.
The Maroon Tide jumped out to an early 11-2 lead on the Cougars in the first quarter, thanks to a 9-0 scoring run.
The Cougars cut the deficit to five points by the end of the first quarter thanks to back to back three-point made field goals.
In the second quarter, the Cougars grabbed their first lead of the game on a Yancy layup. Yancy would score the quarters first nine points that helped give the team a 17-13 lead. Yancy opened the quarter with back to back steals that led to layups.
Thanks to Yancy’s 17 first half points, the Cougars went into the second half with a 22-17 lead.
In the third quarter, the Cougars lead grew to six points at 25-19.
However, that lead did not last long, as midway through the third quarter, the Maroon Tide went on a 10-3 scoring run to grab their first lead since they had a 13-12 lead early into the second quarter.
The Cougars would eventually regain the lead in the quarter, but by quarters end, the Maroon Tide, with their 22-point third quarter had a 39-37 lead.
Not concerned by the momentum the Maroon Tide had heading into the fourth quarter, the Cougars defense used their best effort to keep their opponent in check by holding them to only five points in the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter with the score tied 41-41 with 2:52 remaining in the game, Yancy hit a big three point basket to give the Cougars a three point lead.
After the Maroon Tide made one of two free throws to cut the lead to two points, Yancy would get fouled and went to the line for a one-and-one. At the free throw line, Yancy missed the one-and-one which gave the Maroon Tide a chance to tie or take the lead with under a minute remaining. However the Cougars defense forced the Maroon Tide to turn the ball over.
Following the turnover, Yancy was fouled and had another opportunity at the free throw line. Yancy missed the one-and-one.
The Maroon Tide grabbed the rebound and went down the court and with good ball movement had a wide open three point attempt that was missed off of the back of the rim. The three pointer would of gave the Maroon Tide a one point lead.
Purcel Turner came down with the games biggest rebound on the missed three point try by the Maroon Tide. Turner was fouled and went to the free throw line where knocked down both free throws to give the Cougars a four point lead at 46-42.
The Maroon Tide drove back down the court and made a bucket to cut their deficit in half.
On the inbounds play, Levi Dressler passed the ball to an open Yancy, but was immediately trapped in the corner. Yancy then heaved the ball down the court with a football-like pass to a trailing wide open Brady Howard who made a layup with under twenty seconds remaining to give the Cougars a four point lead.
The layup from Howard would seal the victory for the Cougars as the Maroon Tide missed two field goal attempts in the closing seconds of the game.
Yancy finished the game with his game high 30 points to go along with eight rebounds, six steals, and one assist.
Dressler finished the game with eight points and three rebounds, while Turner finished the game with two points, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Howard chipped in with four points, one steal, and one rebound.
Free throws did not come back to hurt the Cougars as the team shot 4-for-15 from the free throw line while the Maroon Tide shot 10-for-17.
The Cougars are back on the basketball court tomorrow at Glenvar.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
CHS 8 14 15 11 48
GHS 13 4 22 5 44
