Staff report
South Rowan’s Steven Johnson couldn’t see the rim as he launched a desperation 3-pointer with three Statesville defenders draped all over him.
Johnson banked in the shot to send Monday’s NPC game to overtime. It was that kind of night, with both teams making everything they put up.
Hunter Morrison scored 31 points, Johnson added 21 and Reid Shaver had 20 as South outscored the Greyhounds 107-105 in a mind-boggling game. Morrison, Johnson and Shaver were among the seniors honored by the Raiders.
South junior Blake Houston made the winning layup with 3.6 seconds left in overtime.
The 212 combined points made it the highest-scoring game in South history.
It came within a point of tying the school record for offense. The Raiders beat South Iredell 108-86 during the 1975-76 season.
Statesville’s 105 points were the most ever allowed by a South team, but coach John Davis was thrilled the Raiders (13-10, 10-7) found a way to win and hold on to sole possession of fourth place.
“Statesville just couldn’t miss, but we kept digging and plugging,” Davis said.
South trailed 10-0 but fought back. Statesville (4-18, 3-17) stretched its lead back to double digits in the third quarter, but the Raiders rallied again.
The Greyhounds, who got 26 points from Nick Schofield and 25 from Tevin Carr, went back up by 12 points with under three minutes remaining and appeared to have matters under control until Johnson caught fire. He hit two 3s and brought South back one more time.
South still trailed by three points with seven seconds left and had to foul. The Greyhounds missed two free throws, but South couldn’t claim the rebound and had to foul again. That cost the Raiders the presence of Morrison, who had to use his fifth foul to stop the clock with six seconds left.
When Statesville misfired again at the line, Shaver rebounded and streaked down the floor. He found Johnson, who made the shot of his life to force overtime.
In the overtime session, with Morrison sitting down, the Raiders stared at defeat again.
With a chance to take the lead in the final 15 seconds, Statesville was called for traveling. Houston then drove for his winning bucket, and Statesville missed its desperation shot to tie.
“We looked dead in the water several times, but the guys just wouldn’t give up,” Davis said. “The game of the year.”
STATESVILLE (105) ó Schofield 26, Carr 25, Nichols 16, Edwards 12, Feimster 11, Saliff 8, Wesson 4, Lackey 3.
SOUTH ROWAN (107) ó Morrison 31, Johnson 21, Shaver 20, Houston 12, Walker 9, Davis 8, Grant 6, Bowles, Corriher.
Statesville 21 17 33 24 10 ó 105
S. Rowan 14 23 27 31 12 ó 107