The Semi-Finals of the Sheetz Holiday Classic featured a rematch between Southwest Guilford and High Point Andrews. This was the third time around for these cross town rivals. The Cowboys were looking to get a 3 game series sweep of the Red Raiders. At first the Raiders had a stronghold on the Cowboys. In a very rare slow paced game for these two teams, it went back and forth to the tune of an 9-8 lead for Andrews after the first. In the Second the Red Raiders kept the tempo down and forced several Cowboy turnovers who were once again without Terrell Leach. Andrews had the biggest lead of the half at 9 until a free-throw before the buzzer made it 28-20 at the break. The slow pace was working for the Raiders, but there was a second half to be played. The Cowboys got back to business and turned up the pressure and tempo and came out of the gate with a quick 8-0 run to tie the ball game up. Andrews responded with a basket and a free-throw to take the lead 31-28. The teams traded baskets once again and it was tied at 33-33. A Cowboy free-throw at the 2:31 mark put the Cowboys up 34-33, and Southwest hit the gas from there. In the remainder of the third, the Cowboys full court pressure turned the game in favor of the Hosts, outscoring them 21-10 in the third to take a 41-38 lead. The final frame was more of the same as the Cowboys kept the pressure up and began to stretch it out to a 10 point lead. Some late deep three’s by the Raiders kept the score within reason, but the control was with the Home Squad as the Cowboys held on for the 62-55 victory and a birth in the championship game tomorrow night against High Point Christian Academy at 7:30. Andrews was lead by Jalen Ford’s 18 and Chris Eatmon’s 13 points respectively. Southwest was lead again by Jordan Hanner and Brandon Clyburn’s 17 points each.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Andrews 09 19 10 17 55
Southwest 08 12 21 21 62
Andrews: DJ Neal 6, Tyrin Miller 6, Beanie Butler 2, Jonathan Curtis 8, Chris Eatmon 13, Donald Williamson 2, Jalen Ford 18.
Southwest (9-3): Ray Bridges 8, Herbie Bridges 5, Jordan Hanner 17, Brandon Clyburn 17, Saxton Cotton 5, Braxton Daye 5, KJ Langley 5.