Charlotte Christian 76, Cannon 71, 2 OT: After losing back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, Christian coach Shonn Brown didn’t like his team’s position early in an important game at Cannon School. Starters B.J. Mack, Kayle Mason and Blake Preston were in foul trouble and the Knights’ CISAA conference title hopes seemed to be fading.
But Christian’s bench, led by Terrelle Brown, Seth Bennett and Ricky Kofoed played wonderfully and helped the Knights get a four-point halftime lead in front of Portland Trail Blazers’ players Mason Plumlee and Evan Turner, in town to play the Hornets Wednesday.
“I told them as soon as I got into the locker room,” Brown said, “that ‘These guys, the way they just played, is why you’re still smiling.’”
In the second half, the Knights (17-4, 2-1 CISAA) hung tough behind Preston (20 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks) and Mason (19 points, seven rebounds) and Rob Peterson (14). The Knights missed shots to win in regulation and overtime, and Qon Murphy (20 points) hit some big 3-point shots for Cannon on a night when star forward Jairus Hamilton went for 30 points, on 11-for-17 shooting, and eight assists.
But in the second overtime, Christian got an advantage and Cannon had to foul. Christian’s Mack, Preston and Mason all made big free throws and the Knights tied Cannon (13-10, 2-1) for second place in the league behind Providence Day (16-7, 4-0).
Christian will be probably rooting for Cannon to beat Providence Day on the road Friday. But, more than that, Christian is celebrating an important win.
“I think it’s just really big mentally for our kids,” Brown said. “It’s big from a confidence standpoint and...in terms of state (playoff) seeding and being in the hunt to win the conference, it helps us. We told the guys that if (winning conference) is still part of the team goal, you have to win this one tonight.”
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 76, CANNON SCHOOL 71, 2 OT
Cannon School 13 17 15 11 7 8 -- 71
Charlotte Christian 17 17 12 10 7 13 -- 76
Cannon School 71– Jairus Hamilton 30, Qon Murphy 20, McKenzie 8, Deveaux 7, Cox 6
Charlotte Christian 76 –Blake Preston 20, Kale Mason 19, Rob Peterson 14, Bennett 6, Tharrington 5, Mack 5, Brown 4, Kofoed 3
Records: Cannon School 13-10, 2-1 CISAA; Charlotte Christian 17-4, 2-1
But Christian’s bench, led by Terrelle Brown, Seth Bennett and Ricky Kofoed played wonderfully and helped the Knights get a four-point halftime lead in front of Portland Trail Blazers’ players Mason Plumlee and Evan Turner, in town to play the Hornets Wednesday.
“I told them as soon as I got into the locker room,” Brown said, “that ‘These guys, the way they just played, is why you’re still smiling.’”
In the second half, the Knights (17-4, 2-1 CISAA) hung tough behind Preston (20 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks) and Mason (19 points, seven rebounds) and Rob Peterson (14). The Knights missed shots to win in regulation and overtime, and Qon Murphy (20 points) hit some big 3-point shots for Cannon on a night when star forward Jairus Hamilton went for 30 points, on 11-for-17 shooting, and eight assists.
But in the second overtime, Christian got an advantage and Cannon had to foul. Christian’s Mack, Preston and Mason all made big free throws and the Knights tied Cannon (13-10, 2-1) for second place in the league behind Providence Day (16-7, 4-0).
Christian will be probably rooting for Cannon to beat Providence Day on the road Friday. But, more than that, Christian is celebrating an important win.
“I think it’s just really big mentally for our kids,” Brown said. “It’s big from a confidence standpoint and...in terms of state (playoff) seeding and being in the hunt to win the conference, it helps us. We told the guys that if (winning conference) is still part of the team goal, you have to win this one tonight.”
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 76, CANNON SCHOOL 71, 2 OT
Cannon School 13 17 15 11 7 8 -- 71
Charlotte Christian 17 17 12 10 7 13 -- 76
Cannon School 71– Jairus Hamilton 30, Qon Murphy 20, McKenzie 8, Deveaux 7, Cox 6
Charlotte Christian 76 –Blake Preston 20, Kale Mason 19, Rob Peterson 14, Bennett 6, Tharrington 5, Mack 5, Brown 4, Kofoed 3
Records: Cannon School 13-10, 2-1 CISAA; Charlotte Christian 17-4, 2-1
