Wilmington wins on buzzer beater
Wilmington (71) Vs. Rocky Grove (69)
Jan 11, 2012
It might be the shot that saves the Greyhounds’ season.
Anthony Derrick hit a layup as time expired to lift Wilmington in a nonregion matchup, ending a six-game losing streak for the visitors.
Rocky Grove tied the game at 69 with 10 seconds remaining on a 3-point shot to set the stage for Derrick’s heroics.
“We called a timeout and set up a play,” Greyhounds coach Mike Jeckavitch said. “It was basically just a high ball screen, and instead of taking the screen, (Derrick) kind of crossed the guy over and hit a contested layup with no time left. Once it hit the backboard and went through, the buzzer sounded.”
Derrick wasn’t the only hero. Matt Bowen set a career high with 26 points. He drained six of Wilmington’s 10 3-pointers. Rocco Fagan added three more from long range. He scored eight of his 17 in the first half to help the Greyhounds (3-7) stay alive after a miserable first quarter in which they were outscored, 12-4.
“(Bowen) had two points at halftime,” Jeckavitch said. “He was sick with the flu a little bit. He was sick in school all day, but he really came through in the second half. They play a 1-3-1 zone, and we kind of stuck him in the corner. He’s one of those guys that he only needs to hit one, and once he gets one, he gets in a zone.
“Fagan really stepped up tonight, too. This was his second varsity start, and he really kept us in it in the first half.”
Derrick, a senior point guard, added nine points. Jeckavitch said his game-winner could be the spark that ignites Wilmington.
“Our kids have been battling,” he said. “We had a pretty tough nonregion schedule, but hopefully this will mentally and physically prepare us for our league play.”