With buzzer-beating shots and last second heroics on both sides, the Feb. 9 overtime matchup of Carvers Bay and Hemingway epitomized high-drama as the Tigers won 72-65 to cement their place as second in Class A, Region 8A.
Although they finished in second place behind Johnsonville, the Tigers roll into the playoffs on a nine game winning streak and are seeing marked improvement in all areas after a 3-7 start to the year.
Hemingway head coach Barry McFadden said the Tigers, like all teams, needed time to gel and are clicking at the right time.
The Tigers started the season without some of their key players and now that they have them, McFadden feels the Tigers have finally come together as a team.
“We had boys in the North-South (All-Star Game) and the Shrine Bowl and some other injuries,” McFadden said. “I just told them we had to stick together and gel. Not having those guys at the first of the season hurt us. I said, once we gel, I think everything will come together.”
Although there were spurts in the first half where it seemed as though Carvers Bay might pull away with a big lead, the Tigers continued to utilize their full-court pressure defense and stymied what had been a viable Bear’s offensive attack.
McFadden said the Tigers’ press, along with their transition game was key to keeping them in the game early on and even more important in the forcing attrition throughout the Carvers Bay roster.
“I thought they put a good effort out. I think what happened was, we kind of wore them down and just continued to do what we do. I think the transition defense was good for us. We had the two twins, Michael (Pushia) and LaMichael (Pushia) and they made it really tough on them.”
While guards D’Armond Player, Dominique Pyatt, Dominic Scott and the Pushia brothers played key roles for the Tigers down the stretch, Hemingway relied heavily on their big men to for the issue on both offense and defense.
According to McFadden, center Azrial Moye and forward Jabril Solomon helped key the Tigers to the win.
“Azrial Moye was big for us with put backs and Jabril (Solomon) had about 16 rebounds,” he said. “I think, overall the team played great defense.”
McFadden said the Tigers, now sitting in a familiar position heading into the playoffs have big aspirations moving forward.
“We just want to play hard and go far in the playoffs and we hope to play for another state championship,” he said.
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