Flyers Wipe Out Late Double-Digit Deficit in Victory Over Camp CC

Trailing Paul D. Camp Community College by 10 points with just over three minutes remaining in the game, the Sandhills Community College basketball team mounted a furious defense-fueled rally and went on to pull out a 93-91 victory at The Hangar on Friday evening.

Freshmen guards Kevin Gentry and Kendall Smith created havoc for the Hurricanes in the back court in the closing minutes, turning steals into baskets. A floater for two points by Mylon Campbell tied the score at 89-89 with 1:20 remaining.

"Kevin and Kendall were able to put a lot of pressure on the ball and get those steals," Flyers' Coach Mike Apple said.

Antoine Piper, who finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, then scored inside to complete the 12-0 run, but the visitors retied the score at 91-91 with 13.4 seconds, remaining. Gentry then drove for the game-winner with just a fraction of a second remaining.

"My teammates trust me and I just had to take the shot and put it through," Gentry, who is from Chicago, said afterward. "We kept playing and fighting, and pulled out the win."

Ranked No. 7 this week in NJCAA Division III, the Flyers improved to 2-1 in Region 10 and 14-6 overall. The squad from Franklin, VA dropped to 1-3 in the conference and 7-10 overall.

The Flyers are scheduled to entertain Oxford College of Emory University (8-9, 0-4) at 1 p.m. on Sunday in another Region 10 contest.

Piper scored 14 points in a first half that saw the game tied six times and ended with the home team on top 41-39. The Flyers increased the lead to 51-43 on a basket by Mike Fee before the visitors rallied and later went on a 10-1 run that gave them an 86-74 advantage with 4:30 remaining in the game. A three-point play by Damien Robinson then helped turn the tide for the home team.

"The last four minutes we had to lock in on defense," said Smith who was credited with four steals in addition to 10 points and nine assists. "We did that and got stops."

Robinson finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Zack Noel was 7-for-9 from the field and finished with 15 points and eight boards.

On a night, and recent series of games characterized by inconsistent play, Piper and his coach agree on what it will take to turn that around.

"It all starts in practice, " said Piper, a sophomore from Charlotte. "I feel that preparation applies to everything. Our preparation needs to be better."

Apple was encouraged by the resilience of his team.

"Our commitment to play defense is just sporadic," he said "It really gets us in trouble, but we have the will to win ball games. I think that's very obvious.

"Sunday is a chance for us to build some momentum in the conference. I can't wait to play. I think this team really needs to play a lot to kind of figure out the chemistry, offensively."

A neutral court conference game between Oxford Emory and Camp will be held at The Hangar on Saturday with a 1 p.m. tipoff.

Region 10 Standings: 1. Patrick and Henry 4-1, 2. Virginia Peninsula 3-1, 3. Sandhills 2-1, Camp 1-3, Oxford Emory 0-4.

C. Bergmann