Mullins advances past Dillon in Double Overtime

Like Ali versus Frazier, the trilogy, matching up two fierce and evenly matched rivals will be one of the biggest high school basketball games this season. The Mullins Auctioneers and Dillon Wildcats went to war in this past Friday’s semi-final round of the Carolina Classic. Coach Mark Gerald and the Aucs maintained their advantage through two overtime periods and won by a score of 95-88, advancing to Saturday’s championship game against Timmonsville.

The “Final Four,” crew of Stacy Wilson, Eric Smith, Seqwan McFarland, and Andrew Crawford gave an impressive performance against Dillon’s Alyn McRea, Quinn McCollum, Damien Sowells, and Lashay Page. Despite Page being recognized as one of the top five players in the state, and dropping 39-points in the contest, Auctioneer forward Andrew Crawford’s 31-points and 20-rebounds was outstanding.

Mullins opened the first quarter with a 26-12, advantage, and carried the momentum for three quarters and most of the final period. Defensively, the squad held the Wildcat perimeter shooters in check. Contributions from Greg Nelson, Steve Smith’s interior defense, and rebounding by Donte Cooper were vital for Mullins, missing Wilson in the second quarter due to foul trouble.

Eric Smith’s “dime” pass to Crawford inside at the 5:21 mark in the second quarter, highlighted the point guard’s ability to attack and find the open man, setting a 33-21, score. Frustration would later bite the Wildcats with a technical foul issued. Page was fired up after nailing a three pointer with three minutes left in the first half, but the Aucs were ice cold with three point plays from Crawford and McFarland, along with a trey nailed from Steve Smith to close.

Mullins took a 45-32, lead into the locker room, thanks to Crawford’s production and the brilliant play of Eric Smith. However, Dillon was down and proved not to be out of the contest, with Page scoring 11 of his 39-points in the first half and eagerly awaiting the period where he does most of his damage.

The Auctioneer advantage continued in the third period, as a midrange jumper knocked down by Wilson had set a 54-40, score at the 3:26 mark. Dillon’s defensive stopper Sowell’s quickly answered with a steal and lay-up score, but Donte Cooper served up a mean rejection on Page’s attack to the hoop, imprinting the “Spalding” lettering into the forehead of teammate. Baskets by Lorenzo Allen and Antwan Blue kept Dillon within striking distance, as Mullins took a 58-44, lead into the fourth period.

Mullins has won ten straight games to open the season, and have spent little time trailing opponents, which has made holding on to leads and maintaining a rhythm a tough task. Ahead 60-44, after an inside score by Cooper to start the quarter, Dillon began to claw back with baskets by Page and McCollum. However, Eric Smith answered with back-to-back assists to Cooper and Wilson to hold serve. The Wildcats ran off another eight unanswered points with treys nailed by McRae and Sowells, cutting the lead to single digits, 64-56, at the 4:42 mark.

The two teams continued to go back and forth, until Page left his wallet in El Segundo. The shooting guard was “money” from behind the arc with three bombs dropped within a minute and half, cutting the Aucs advantage 71-69, with 2:30 left in regulation. Eric Smith answered strong off a drive, but was counted with another three pointer from Page. With 45.3 seconds remaining Smith added two free-throws to hold onto a 75-72 lead, but Sowells found his range late in the game, hitting nothing but net from the right corner, sending the game into overtime.

During the extra session both teams attempted to land the knockout blow from behind the three point line. Sowells’ dish off to Page was answered by Wilson, who answered the bell during crunch time. Free throws made by Wilson, Crawford, and Cooper gave Mullins a 80-77, lead during the closing seconds, but Page dialed-up another trey with 14.8 seconds remaining to force a second overtime.

Eric Smith just missed ending the game on a clear drive to the hoop, and Dillon looked to steal the contest with a quick opening score from McCollum. Wilson answered immediately with a pull-up jumper, then later countered a three pointer from Sowells with one of his own. Eric Smith added two made free throws to give the team a 87-85, lead with 2:29, remaining, while McFarland provided a huge lift with a baseline drive and finish. The scoring continued for Mullins as Smith “beamed” his sixth assist to Crawford, taking a 91-85, lead with 47 seconds left in the contest. Sowells tried to keep his team in contention with another three pointer made, but a key steal from Smith and defensive rebound from Cooper provided the stops needed in a pivotal moment. Two free throws from Wilson and a lay-up in transition secured the 95-88, game final for the Auctioneers in a thriller.

Wilson added 22-points to Crawford’s incredible statline, while McFarland was solid with 15-points scored. Eric Smith showcased an all-round game, coming through like Chauncey Billups with 12-points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Dillon also had a balanced attack with 16-points scored by McCollum, along with 14-points from Sowells in his second game back with the team. McRea dished eight assist to lead his squad with 12-points scored.