SOUTHSIDE – Less than 24 hours from pulling a stunner, Fletcher did it again a night later beating host Kernan again.
Faced with a win or go home situation in the regular season finale Tuesday, Fletcher stunned visiting Kernan 64-53 at home to force a three-way tiebreaker for the East Division title.
The win created a three-way tie between Arlington (10-2, 8-2), Kernan (10-2, 8-2) and Fletcher (9-3, 8-2), Arlington won the coin toss and earned the bye forcing Fletcher and Kernan to play last night in the first round of the tiebreaker.
A night later, Fletcher (10-3) stunned Kernan again 41-40 to move on to the East Division title game today at 6 p.m. at Arlington. The winner moves on to the county semifinals Friday.
It nearly didn’t happen though as Fletcher saw a 30-19 late in the third quarter quickly evaporate thanks to a 15-3 run by Kernan which saw the Ospreys take their first lead of the game at 34-33 with 4 minutes left.
From that point on the game became a back and forth see-saw affair as the intensity picked up for both teams and so did the physicality of the game.
Kernan point guard Nathan Ferrer was knocked down hard on the court and after no foul was called, his family nearly came on the court and began arguing with the referees and two of them were escorted out of the gym.
After Kernan took a 38-34 lead, the Senators responded with four quick points including a Seth Allen put back which tied the game at 38 all.
Trailing 41-40 with under a minute remaining, Kernan turned the ball twice on their last two possessions which allowed the Senators to survive and move on.
Lajae Jones led the Senators with 12 points, while Allen and Will Moon chipped in with 11 and 8 points respectively. Moon dominated the boards and blocked four shots during the game as well.
Pernell Pender led the Ospreys with 9 points, while Ferrer added 8, Anthony Ross chipped in 8 and Harris Smith contributed 6 points.
“I told the team we’re in March Madness and it’s all about survive and advance now, one game at a time and live on to play another day,” Fletcher coach Ryan Fennell said. ”
While the playoffs don’t officially begin till Friday, the playoffs started Tuesday night for the Senators who must win 5 games in 5 days to win the county championship.
So far so good, with two down and three to go for the Senators; but you have to be concerned about the kids possibly playing 5 games in 5 days.
“Of course I am concerned, with Arlington getting the bye it’s going to be a tough challenge for us but in the end we just have to be ready to play,” Fennell said. “I told the team for those who didn’t play tonight, be ready because we are going to need you tomorrow. We have taken on the motto ‘5 in a row’, because we know we have to win 5 in a row to win the title.”
