The Sheetz Holiday Classic Championship game featured the Hornets of Western Guilford facing off the hosting Cowboys of Southwest Guilford. This title game is actually the 3rd time these teams faced off this season, with the Cowboys winning both previous matchups handily. But, you play games on the court, and not on paper.
Western earned a spot in the title game by winning consecutive 2 point victories over Myers Park, and then Southern Alamance. The Cowboys won their way into the title game by beating Westchester Country Day, and then squeaking past High Point Central.
Could the Cowboys keep their season unblemished? Could the Hornets find a way to lasso the hosts the third time around?
What a game it turned out to be. From buzzer to buzzer it was a tremendous dog fight.
After the first quarter Southwest lead 24-19. The tide seemed to favor the Cowboys, but every time the lead was spread out to double digits, the Hornets had an answer. Going into the half the Cowboys were up 44-35.
The third quarter was the same dog fight as each teams traded lengthy runs, with Western out scoring the Cowboys in the frame making it 64-57 in favor of SW.
For the second straight night the fourth quarter was full of drama. The Hornets came out and grinded all the way back to tie it at 73 with 3:38 to go. 5 lead changes 3 lead changes lead to an outstanding finish. Western went up 80-78 with just under 2 minutes to play. 40 seconds later the Cowboys responded. The Cowboys scored 5 more points to go up 85-80 with a minute to play. But the Hornets still had one more sting.
A deep three cut the deficit, and after 2 missed free throws, Western scored a basket at the buzzer to take the game into overtime tied at 85.
In the extra period, Southwest’s Terrell Leach showed why he was the tournament MVP, scoring 8 of the teams 13 points. The game changer was a thunderous dunk over a would be defender which gave the Cowboys the lead for good at 92-91. Riding the momentum from that the Cowboys were able to hold off the Hornets, who scored a tip in at the buzzer to make the final tally 98-97.
The Hornets were lead by Quinton Miller (27), Carmoni Marks (26). Southwest was lead by Terrell Leach with 54, 5 Rebs, 2 Asts, 2 Blks, 2 Stls, Antonio Banks with 12, 6 Rebs, and Tyliek Brister with 9, 2 Asts, 5 Rebs, 3 Stls.
Another gritty win makes the Cowboys the Sheetz Holiday Classic Champions at 11-0.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Final Western Guilford 19 16 22 28 13 97 Southwest Guilford 24 20 20 21 12 98
Western (5-9), (0-2)
Ce’Darius Dockery 7
Quinton Milner 27
Ke’Desh Edwards 8
Styles Freeman 5
Kaleel Walton 19
Ce’Darius Dockery 7
Carmoni Marks 26
Southwest (11-0), (1-0)
Terrell Leach 54
KJ Langley 6
Ben Ferguson 8
DJ Chamblee 5
Tyliek Brister 9
Austen Zente 3 Asts, 3 Rebs, 3 Stls, 1 Blk
Arjun Patel 2, 2 Rebs, 2 Stls
Andrew Bullock 2
Submitted by Greg Vlazny
One of the best games I have seen all season. Leach is really something to watch. Big numbers were expected from Leach but 54?!?!?! Great championship game. Those kids from Western showed tremendous fight. Not sure who the coach is but he has them clicking. They may surprise some people.
This just in,Terrell Leach offered full Ride from WSSU after the game.
If Leach is not named player of the year around hre in Guilford County by the News-Records, then I know politics is still alive and well.
That young man is “awesome!” It was indeed a pleasure to watch him perform….”That dunk could have easily won an ESPY!”