Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WHEELERSBURG — The South Point Pointers are beginning to wish they scored basketball games like horseshoes so that near misses equal wins.

The Pointers just missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer as they lost a 57-54 heartbreaker to the Wheelersburg Pirates on Saturday.

South Point (6-12) was coming off a 58-50 loss at Gallipolis on Friday in a game when they were outscored 16-3 in the first quarter. On Saturday they scored only six in the first quarter.

“We came out slow again and had to battle back,” said Pointers’ coach Travis Wise.

“I was worried how we would play after how bad we played on Friday, but we played well and had a chance to win it at the end.”

The Pointers fell behind 12-6 at the end of the first quarter and trailed 27-19 at the half.

South Point rallied in the third quarter to get within 38-37. The Pointers hit a free throw to get within 56-54 and then fouled the Pirates who made the first attempt and missed the second.

The Pointers got the rebound and missed one shot, but Elijah Adams got the rebound and just missed the follow up 3-point attempt to tie the game.

“Elijah got a good look and I thought it was going in, but it hit the back of the rim and bounced off. It was just a matter of inches,” said Wise.

South Point hosts Ironton on Tuesday.

South Point 6 13 18 17 = 54

Wheelersburg 12 15 11 19 = 57

SOUTH POINT (6-12): Chris Woodard 7 0 0-2 14, Jared Whitt 1 2 0-2 8, Tayshaun Fox 1 1 4-5 9, Elijah Adams 3 1 2-2 11, Cody Runyon 3 0 0-0 6, Logan Wade 3 0 0-0 6. Totals: 22-48 6-11 54. 3-point goals: 4-12. Rebounds: 16 (Woodard 5). Assists: 20 (Adams 7, Whitt 6, Fox 6). Steals: 5 (Whitt 2, Fox 2). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Woodard.

WHEELERSBURG (15-2): Tanner Holden 7 0 3-5 17, Kyle Davis 2 0 5-10 9, Tanner Bivens 1 2 2-2 10, Keaton Newsome 1 0 0-0 2, Kaden Coleman 6 0 0-0 12, Daylor Lewis 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Lotspeich 3 0 1-2 7. Totals: 20 2 11-19 57. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.