Infignos Media - Golden Eagles finish season with last-second loss to Munford

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Golden Eagles finish season with last-second loss to Munford

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Quan Richardson’s Munford teammates call him “Tweety,” but he spent much of the Lions’ sub-regional thriller with Jacksonville on Friday going by “Airball.”

Jacksonville’s student section reminded the quick, diminutive point guard of his early game miss each time he touched the ball, but he left the home crowd something else by which to remember him.

Richardson’s 3-pointer from the corner with 26 seconds left and his driving shot with three ticks remaining completed Munford’s comeback from a 45-34, fourth-quarter deficit, and the Lions won 49-48 to become an improbable qualifier for next week’s Northeast Regional.

Munford (8-19) will tweet on to Jacksonville State’s Pete Matthews Coliseum, where they will play Oneonta on Friday at 4:50 p.m.

“I told them, when we started this thing (postseason), our record was zero and zero,” Munford coach Isiah Gaddis said. “Then we were one-and-oh and then one-and-one, so that’s the way we looked at it.

“Anything can happen.”

Jacksonville, which finished 16-13, knows that all too well. The Golden Eagles saw area favorite Anniston bow out in an upset to Alexandria, and the Golden Eagles beat the Valley Cubs to win the right to host a sub-regional game.

Jacksonville seemingly took control Friday when Tyler Ross hit one of two free throws to put the Golden Eagles up 45-34 with 4:33 to play.

But Jacksonville committed three of its 20 turnovers, missed rushed shots and missed free throws down the stretch, and Munford made good.

“We stopped executing at the end, and it cost us,” Jacksonville coach Anthony Kingston said.

Munford used its quickness and full-court, man-to-man defense in hopes of rushing Jacksonville.

“We were just trying to create some turnovers,” Gaddis said.

Munford made it count on the offensive end. The Lions’ 15-3 run to end the game featured 3-pointers by Jaylen Mitchell and Brandon Williams, and Williams hit two free throws.

But the biggest baskets went to the smallest player who, until late, had a rough night.

There was the early-game airball from the left elbow, right in front of the Jacksonville student section, and it won him unwanted attention from the home crowd.

He quietly recorded four assists and six steals but went 3-for-12 from the field, including 1-for-4 from behind the 3-point arc, and finished with seven points.

But Richardson made game-winning free throws in two victories over St. Clair County this season, and he made clutch plays in a victory over Lincoln.

“That’s why I told him, I was going to let him have the ball and see what he does with it,” Gaddis said.

When Munford needed it most Friday, Tweety (that was also his dad’s nickname) sang a new tune.

After Jacksonville’s Des Curry made one of two free throws to put the Golden Eagles up 46-44 with 45.3 seconds left, Richardson maneuvered to the corner, in front of Munford’s bench. He caught a pass then sank a high-arching trey.

“Normally, that’s my best shot from the corner,” he said. “We needed a basket, and it was open, so I took it.”

That shot gave Munford its first lead since early in the first quarter, 47-46, but Curry sank two free throws with 20.2 seconds left to put Jacksonville back up, 48-47.

Richardson brought the ball up the court. With about seven seconds left, he hedged right then dribbled through an opening near the top of the key.

Jacksonville’s help was slow to react.

“I knew he was going to the basket on it,” Kingston said. “I just thought we’d play a little bit better containment and help side.”

Richardson took the ball all the way to the basket and laid it in.

“Originally, we were supposed to come down and call timeout, but they sagged off,” Richardson said. “They played hard on their man when I drove, so I just took it.”

Jacksonville’s desperation heave fell well short, and Munford’s fans rushed the floor to celebrate. The Lions had just secured their second Northeast Regional berth in as many years, but this one was different.

“We had about 20 wins last year, but I only had like three or four varsity players that came back this year,” Gaddis said. “I told them that if we just keep plugging and trusting each other, at the end of the season, we’ll be playing well.”

Munford overcame a 38-17 rebounding deficit by forcing turnovers, with 11 coming on steals. The Lions also hit seven 3-pointers.

Mitchell led the way with 13 points, and he blocked four shots. Williams finished with 12 points.

Jacksonville got 14 points from Ramon Loveberry and 11 each from Curry and Ross, but the Golden went just 11-for-30 from the field. They also missed eight of 19 free throws.

“This season has been a rollercoaster,” Kingston said. “We started out 0-4, but I told these guys hold their heads up. They’re the first group to win in Centre, tough place to win. They won the Van Deerman, and they’re area champs.

“It’s going to hurt, and it’s supposed to hurt, but look at all of the things we’ve done well.”

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