It was a prized title fight from the opening tip, and the Bulldogs had one more shot in them.
Hampton’s Dakota Crumley scored with four seconds remaining in overtime to lift Hampton to a 50-48 victory over Cloudland in the District 1-A Championship on Tuesday at Daniel Boone.
Both teams open the Region 1-A Tournament on Saturday at home.
The Bulldogs set the tone early as Nathan Norris scored nine points in the first quarter to give Hampton a 13-6 advantage – including a 7-0 run to end the quarter.
Hampton continued to push the ‘Landers in the second as Adam McClain opened the quarter with a 3-pointer. After Dalton Vines added a basket for Cloudland, Hampton’s Coby Jones and Norris scored points to push the lead to 15 points. However, Jesse Potter scored five points and Colby Birchfield added a late basket to close the gap to 25-15 at the half.
The ‘Landers, however, weren’t going down without a fight.
Birchfield knocked down a 3-pointer and Preston Benfield drained a jumper to close CHS within five points. Norris and Jones countered shots from Vines and Birchfield before Vines kicked off a 7-0 run to end the quarter that was capped off by a Chris Wagoner 3-pointer. That run closed the HHS lead to 31-30 heading to the fourth quarter.
The teams traded points and the lead over the first four minutes of the final quarter as the Bulldogs held a 36-35 lead. Wagoner hit a jumpshot and Birchfield gave CHS a 38-35 lead with 1:%0 to play, but Norris pushed the Bulldogs back into the lead with a 3-pointer with 1:28 to play.
The final minute saw the ‘Landers take the lead on a Birchfield 3-pointer, but Norris answered on the other end with a trey of his own that ultimately forced overtime tied at 41-41.
In the extra period, Cloudland jumped out early as Potter hit a 3-pointer, and Birchfield added a pair of free throws to give CHS a 46-41 lead midway through the extra period. Coby Jones answered for Hampton before Josh Blair added a pair of free throws with 22.9 seconds remaining.
However, the Bulldogs had an answer as Jose Velsquez and Norris hit shots to tie the game with 11.1 seconds left. After Cloudland missed a late free throw, that set the stage for Crumley’s heroics.
Norris finished with 19 points to pace Hampton, while Jones finished with 10 points. McClain finished with seven points.
Cloudland was paced by Birchfield’s 17 points. Benfield and Potter had eight points apiece.
Postgame Audio
Hampton Head Coach Ned Smith
Cloudland Head Coach Gary Harrison
Photo Gallery
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