Simpson late surge tops Wayne in overtime
Southern Sports & Travel
In there were any questions as to how big Friday night’s District 4-AA matchup between fifth ranked Wayne and sixth ranked Simpson was look no further than Simpson head coach James Crain after the game. Crain had just watched his team win a 58-53 overtime thriller in a game that the Cougars trailed the majority of.
“We needed this win,” said Crain. “If we lost tonight we would probably have had no chance at a #1 seed heading into the tournament.”
Simpson junior Josh Hankins poured in 18 of his 20 points in the second half and overtime and the Cougar defense played a huge role in wearing down Wayne during a critical fourth quarter stretch. “We did well with our pressure defense and I think that played a part in the late stages of the game in Wayne getting worn down,” said Crain.
(Above) Josh Hankins (#23) of Simpson battles for a second half rebound
Simpson would take a 2-0 lead on two Garrett Taylor free throws one minute into the game but the Cougars wouldn’t see the lead again until nearly the end of regulation as Wayne looked sharp on both ends of the court from the onset.
Simpson had no answer early on for the combination of point guard Tim Coaker and forward Toby Roach as the two seniors worked the inside-out game with effectiveness. Coaker’s assist to Roach gave the Jags their first lead at 4-2 and Wayne finished the first quarter with a 6-0 run to take a 16-7 lead into the second quarter.
Simpson’s cure for cold perimeter shooting was clear, drive to the basket. Garrett Taylor’s driving lay-in, plus one, got the Cougars off to a solid start to begin the second quarter and Simpson narrowed the deficit to five points at 20-15 on Andrew Berry’s drive with 4:25 remaining in the half but Wayne finished strong. Toby Roach’s basket in the paint, plus one, helped the Jags close the quarter with an 8-4 spurt to go up 28-19 at the half.
Wayne looked ready to widen the gap in the third quarter as they answered Simpson basket for basket in the early stages but with the Jags enjoying a nine point cushion at 32-23 and 5:31 left in the quarter Simpson started warming up from the perimeter.
Walt Prince drained a 3-pointer from the wing and at the 2:12 mark Garrett Taylor knocked down a 15 footer from the baseline to pull the Cougars to within four points at 34-30. Prince hit another 3-pointer with one minute left in the quarter to cut the margin to 36-33 but Wayne closed out with an Austin Willey basket and a Tim Coaker free throw to take a 39-33 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Simpson had little success in getting closer than six points during the first four minutes of the fourth quarter and after a Tim Coaker drive gave Wayne a 46-39 lead Simpson was in danger of losing twice to the Jags in two weeks.
(Above) Simpson's Tyler King (#25) drives to the basket in the second half
All was about to change. Simpson closed to 46-43 as Josh Hankins hit on one of two free throws and Garrett Taylor knocked down three free throws after getting fouled attempting a 3-pointer.
After Toby Roach hit a free throw Simpson pulled to within two points at 47-45 as Hankins hit two from the charity stripe with 2:49 remaining in regulation and Simpson tied the game at 47-47 on two Garrett Taylor free throws following a Wayne turnover at the 2:20 mark.
Wayne quickly regained the lead at 48-47 as Tim Coaker hit the front-end of a one & one but Simpson countered with an Andrew Berry bucket in the paint forcing Wayne to call time-out with 43 seconds remaining in regulation and down 49-48.
The Jags missed a lay-in with 21 seconds left but regained possession and Tim Coaker would be fouled on a drive in the paint sending the senior to the free throw line where he canned both free throws to give Wayne the lead at 50-49 and forcing a Simpson timeout with 13 seconds left.
Josh Hankins' drive to the rim missed but the junior pulled down the offensive rebound and was fouled with 2.3 seconds remaining. Hankins then hit the first of two free throws but missed the second sending the game into overtime tied at 50-50 as Wayne was unable to get a shot off with 1 second left.
Hankins more than made up for the missed free throw as the junior picked up a driving basket, plus one, to start the four minute overtime period to give Simpson their biggest lead of the game at 53-50 with 3:09 left in overtime.
The Cougars expanded their lead to 55-50 as Joshua Broadhead stole the ball at halfcourt and drove in for a score with 1:23 remaining.
Wayne’s only basket in the overtime period came with 43 seconds left and Hankins sealed the deal with two free throws in the closing seconds to give Simpson a big 58-53 district win.
(Above) Simspon coach James Crain yells out directions in the closing minutes
“When you shoot 5/25 in the first half you just have to come out after halftime and simply make shots,” said Simpson head coach James Crain. “We did that and we executed well down the stretch.”
Crain’s post-game appearance was in stark contrast to his pre-game appearance as the long time coach looked as if he himself had played but there was no hiding his satisfaction in getting the win. “This was our biggest home game this season and the atmosphere was the best. We appreciate our students coming out and supporting us.”
Simpson was led by Josh Hankins with 20 points, Garrett Taylor added 16, Walt Prince had 9, Tyler King 8, Andrew Berry 4 and Joshua Broadhead 2.
Toby Roach led Wayne with 20 points, Tim Coaker and Austin Willey had 13 each, Brett Chandler 5, Garrick Malone 3 and Brent Graham 2.
Simpson improves to 18-5 overall and 4-1 in district play. The Cougars will host Laurel Christian on Tuesday.
Wayne slips to 16-5 and 5-2.
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