Presbyterian to make first Overall finals appearance Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The Presbyterian Bobcats are playing like a team on a mission. With wins over Mt. Salus, Brookhaven and Greenville Christian the Bobcats have only one team in their sights, the defending three time Overall Champion MRA Patriots. Presbyterian took a step towards their first Overall title with a 61-51 win over a tough Greenville Christian squad on Friday night in semi final action.
In the early going it looked as though Presbyterian would coast to an easy win over the single-A champion Saints. The Bobcats raced out to a 9-0 lead less than three minutes into the game in front of a thunderous Presbyterian student section.
In the early going it looked as though Presbyterian would coast to an easy win over the single-A champion Saints. The Bobcats raced out to a 9-0 lead less than three minutes into the game in front of a thunderous Presbyterian student section.
(Above) Hayden Eustachy (#1) of Presbyterian nails a 3-pointerGreenville Christian got their first points of the game at the 5:11 mark when Harry Williams got a lay-in to make it 9-2. Presbyterian fired back with eight straight points to take their biggest lead at 17-2 with 3:38 remaining in the opening quarter. Greenville Christian didn’t panic and as they did in their upset win over Jackson Prep on Wednesday they started trimming the Bobcat lead. Justin Leavy and Harry Williams converted on 3-pointers to finish the quarter down 19-8.
Greenville Christian slowly pulled to within six points at 20-14 following a Williams 3-pointer and a free throw from Justin Leavy with 5:52 left in the half. Gage Garner’s 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:04 mark extended the Bobcat’s lead back out to 29-18 and TJ Hollins did the same for Greenville Christian as the senior canned a 3-pointer to end the half with the Saints trailing 29-21.
(Above) Harry Williams (#4) of Greenville Christian led the Saints with 19 pts
Greenville Christian mounted a charge in the second half but each time they did Presbyterian countered. After GCS pulled to within three points at 37-34 following Justin Leavy’s two free throws Presbyterian quickly jumped back out to a seven point lead on a Hayden Eustachy lay-in and James Akers’ 17 foot jumper. Mitchell Mooore’s 3-pointer from the corner gave Presbyterian a 47-38 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
Presbyterian looked to be in total control after holding a 55-45 lead with 4:14 remaining in the game but consecutive 3-pointers from Harry Williams and Mike Hardy closed the gap to 55-51 with 2:17 left. Justin Leavy’s shot attempt to narrow the deficit to two points fell short and the Bobcats finished the final minute of the game by hitting on 6/8 free throws to preserve a 61-51 win.
(Above) Presbyterian sophomore Hunter Hawkins (#34) in first half action
Hayden Eustachy led Presbyterian (26-9) with a game high 20 points, Hunter Hawkins and James Akers added 9 each, Gage Garner had 8, Cade Martin 7, Mitchell Moore 6 and Drew Deen 2.
Greenville Christian (36-2) was led by Harry Williams with 19 points, Justin Leavy added 13, Mike Hardy 6, Keldrek Young 4, TJ Hollins 3 and Jonathan Griffin, Jeremy Griffin and Dantarrius Campbell 2 apiece.
Greenville Christian slowly pulled to within six points at 20-14 following a Williams 3-pointer and a free throw from Justin Leavy with 5:52 left in the half. Gage Garner’s 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:04 mark extended the Bobcat’s lead back out to 29-18 and TJ Hollins did the same for Greenville Christian as the senior canned a 3-pointer to end the half with the Saints trailing 29-21.
(Above) Harry Williams (#4) of Greenville Christian led the Saints with 19 ptsGreenville Christian mounted a charge in the second half but each time they did Presbyterian countered. After GCS pulled to within three points at 37-34 following Justin Leavy’s two free throws Presbyterian quickly jumped back out to a seven point lead on a Hayden Eustachy lay-in and James Akers’ 17 foot jumper. Mitchell Mooore’s 3-pointer from the corner gave Presbyterian a 47-38 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
Presbyterian looked to be in total control after holding a 55-45 lead with 4:14 remaining in the game but consecutive 3-pointers from Harry Williams and Mike Hardy closed the gap to 55-51 with 2:17 left. Justin Leavy’s shot attempt to narrow the deficit to two points fell short and the Bobcats finished the final minute of the game by hitting on 6/8 free throws to preserve a 61-51 win.
(Above) Presbyterian sophomore Hunter Hawkins (#34) in first half actionHayden Eustachy led Presbyterian (26-9) with a game high 20 points, Hunter Hawkins and James Akers added 9 each, Gage Garner had 8, Cade Martin 7, Mitchell Moore 6 and Drew Deen 2.
Greenville Christian (36-2) was led by Harry Williams with 19 points, Justin Leavy added 13, Mike Hardy 6, Keldrek Young 4, TJ Hollins 3 and Jonathan Griffin, Jeremy Griffin and Dantarrius Campbell 2 apiece.
PC...19...10...18...14...61
GC....8...13...17...13...51
