Farnold Degand hit an off balance shot just in front of the arc with 3.1 second left in overtime, lifting the Boston Amateur Boys Club to a 66-63 victory over the South Carolina Ravens.
Going into the game, the Ravens hoped to win and get some help from other teams in their pool to sneak in and grab a playoff spot in Pool B. However, both the Illinois Warriors and SYF Players posted victories and finished 4-1, so even if the Ravens had won against BABC, they would not have qualified for Thursday night's quarters.
But that didn't take the edge and excitement off a well played basketball game by both clubs. The teams were never separated by more than five points in the second half, and both squandered chances to win it in the final minute.
Guard Lucas Hargrove, who registered 17 points and three assists for the Ravens, deadlocked the game with a minute to play on a driving lay-in. BABC decided to sit on the ball for a last shot attempt, and after a time out with :05 remaining, they got the ball to Degand for a long three point attempt that misfired.
In the overtime, BABC took the lead on a few occasions, and each time, South Carolina responded to knot things up.
Ravens' forward LaRon Dendy canned a pair of free throws with 27.9 seconds remaining, tying the game at 63 and setting the stage for Degand's heroics.
With the game clock winding down, Degand dribbled seemingly in all directions, trying to wiggle free from defensive pressure. Just before he cocked backward to release a shot, he was fouled by a South Carolina player. Somehow, the resulting shot found the net and sailed through, giving BABC a 65-63 edge and a chance for a three-point play.
Ravens' Head Coach Dion Bethea protested the call, arguing that Degand was fouled on the ground before the shot and should only be awarded a one and one opportunity. The refs begged to differ, giving BABC two points and Degand one free throw. He nailed it to extend the lead to 66-63 with 3.1 seconds remaining.
South Carolina inbounded the ball and got it past halfcourt with 2.4 seconds, calling a time out. When play resumed, Hargrove missed a long three pointer (despite getting a pretty good look) as the buzzer sounded.
Anthony Gurley, one of the leading scorers at the Peach Jam and a Wake Forest commitment, paced BABC with 16 points. Degand and Jeremiah Rivers (son of ex-NBA player and current Celtic head coach Doc) each added 12 points for the victors.
Donell Mack topped the Ravens with 19 points in defeat. Hargrove was the only other player to hit for double figures. South Carolina was without two of its top prospects on Thursday morning, as junior forward Michael Holmes (sprained MCL) and senior forward Michael Jones (summer school) were unable to participate.