Northwest Guilford boys win HAECO Invitational, halt Greensboro Day's domination
GREENSBORO — It was a night for the changing of the guard at the HAECO Invitational basketball tournament.
Brandon Thomas drove the length of the court and rolled in a shot with 5.6 seconds left in overtime, and Northwest Guilford ended Greensboro Day’s record run of seven boys championships 68-67 at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center. The Vikings’ dramatic victory and their first HAECO title came just hours after Ragsdale had stopped the Northwest Guilford girls’ string of titles at a record-tying four.
With his team leading 67-66, the Bengals’ Carson McCorkle had a chance to extend the lead when he went to the free-throw line for a one-and-one with 16.2 seconds to play. But his first shot rattled out and Thomas collected the rebound and went the length of the court, avoiding a charge in the lane, to put Northwest up 68-67.
“I was confident,” Thomas said of the winning drive. “I went up strong and I held my body straight. I thought it was a good” no-call.
After a timeout by the Vikings (9-2), Greensboro Day (12-4) inbounded and pushed the ball quickly up the floor. But Cam Hayes’ driving shot hit the right side of the backboard as time expired.
“Last night was a big win for us,” Northwest coach Lee Reavis said of his Vikings’ semifinal win over Smith. “Coming out here and playing Coach (Freddy Johnson) tonight was just gravy on the potatoes. We had nothing to lose and everything to gain. The guys played their hearts out.”
Thomas finished with 21 points, tournament Most Valuable Player Christian Hampton led Northwest with 24 and Dean Rieber added 17.
The Vikings were fearless from the opening tip, attacking Greensboro Day off the dribble and grabbing 11 offensive rebounds against their taller opponents.
“We’ve been attacking teams and not fearing anyone,” Rieber said. “They’re just people.”
Northwest also took care of the basketball, committing just six turnovers to the Bengals’ 12, but they still had to rally from a five-point deficit in the final 1:05 of overtime.
“We got down five in overtime and never folded,” Reavis said. “I’m extremely proud of them.”
Hayes led Greensboro Day with 21 points, Josh Taylor had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Nick Evtimov added 10 points and 12 boards.
“Lee Reavis did a great job,” Johnson said of his Northwest counterpart. “You have to give them the credit. They were great!”
Afterward, the Vikings celebrated with their fans and talked about what lies ahead.
“We just said we had to make a statement this year,” Hampton said. “This is our year and we can take it all the way to states.”
Winning the Vikings’ first HAECO Invitational boys championship is a great first step.
GREENSBORO — It was a night for the changing of the guard at the HAECO Invitational basketball tournament.
Brandon Thomas drove the length of the court and rolled in a shot with 5.6 seconds left in overtime, and Northwest Guilford ended Greensboro Day’s record run of seven boys championships 68-67 at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center. The Vikings’ dramatic victory and their first HAECO title came just hours after Ragsdale had stopped the Northwest Guilford girls’ string of titles at a record-tying four.
With his team leading 67-66, the Bengals’ Carson McCorkle had a chance to extend the lead when he went to the free-throw line for a one-and-one with 16.2 seconds to play. But his first shot rattled out and Thomas collected the rebound and went the length of the court, avoiding a charge in the lane, to put Northwest up 68-67.
“I was confident,” Thomas said of the winning drive. “I went up strong and I held my body straight. I thought it was a good” no-call.
After a timeout by the Vikings (9-2), Greensboro Day (12-4) inbounded and pushed the ball quickly up the floor. But Cam Hayes’ driving shot hit the right side of the backboard as time expired.
“Last night was a big win for us,” Northwest coach Lee Reavis said of his Vikings’ semifinal win over Smith. “Coming out here and playing Coach (Freddy Johnson) tonight was just gravy on the potatoes. We had nothing to lose and everything to gain. The guys played their hearts out.”
Thomas finished with 21 points, tournament Most Valuable Player Christian Hampton led Northwest with 24 and Dean Rieber added 17.
The Vikings were fearless from the opening tip, attacking Greensboro Day off the dribble and grabbing 11 offensive rebounds against their taller opponents.
“We’ve been attacking teams and not fearing anyone,” Rieber said. “They’re just people.”
Northwest also took care of the basketball, committing just six turnovers to the Bengals’ 12, but they still had to rally from a five-point deficit in the final 1:05 of overtime.
“We got down five in overtime and never folded,” Reavis said. “I’m extremely proud of them.”
Hayes led Greensboro Day with 21 points, Josh Taylor had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Nick Evtimov added 10 points and 12 boards.
“Lee Reavis did a great job,” Johnson said of his Northwest counterpart. “You have to give them the credit. They were great!”
Afterward, the Vikings celebrated with their fans and talked about what lies ahead.
“We just said we had to make a statement this year,” Hampton said. “This is our year and we can take it all the way to states.”
Winning the Vikings’ first HAECO Invitational boys championship is a great first step.
