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Dragons Battle Richland Hard in Season Finale
Rebels Take 82-65 Win Into Playoffs
By Mark Stafford
When the Carroll boys varsity basketball team played the final game of the 2007-08 season they knew they would be playing for pride, as the playoffs were out of reach.
Seniors Michael Eberhart, Loarn Hinkle, Ross Stripling, Wyatt Littles, Derek Kemp, Blake Allen, and Neil Duval donned Dragon green for the final time with a mind for upsetting playoff-bound Richland.
Both teams started cold from the field, as Richland posted only a 5-0 lead after the first three minutes of play. Michael Eberhart’s jumper from behind the arc was Carroll’s only score the first five minutes. But spirited play by Duval kept the home team in contention, as the quarter ended with Richland up 17-11.
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The Rebels opened the second quarter on fire, scoring multiple three point baskets, and the Dragons answered with some fireworks of their own. A battle on the offensive boards resulted in a nifty tip from Chris Roberts to Duvall, who answered with an emphatic two-hand slam dunk to keep the Dragons in the game.
An Eberhart-to-Littles connection on a fast break for a bucket sliced the lead to nine points. Then the Runnin’ Rebels lived up to their name by igniting for a 16-6 run to open a healthy 19-point advantage as the buzzer sounded to end the first half.
The Dragons took Coach Jon Youngblood’s half-time pep talk to heart and began the third quarter with rejuvenated energy. Littles, who wanted his last game as a Dragon to be special, quickly converted a pair of deuces and long three-point jumper. An Eberhart assist to Duvall resulted in a rim-shaking slam dunk for the Dragons.
Great long range shooting by lefty Chris Roberts added to the Dragons’ huge offensive quarter, as they registered 25 points in the frame. Richland’s standout performer Nolan Dennis also made his presence felt throughout the period, as the Rebels withstood the Dragon power surge and held a comfortable 63-48 lead as the horn sounded ending the third period.
The Dragons began the fourth period still riding an energy surge. Another Roberts three pointer and a coast-to-coast bucket by Littles sliced the lead to 14 with just more than five minutes to play. Richland remained calm and rode the shoulders of Tommy Butler and Dennis to maintain the advantage throughout the remainder of the contest.
Duvall went out strong as he bulled his way to the basket for scores and was formidable on the defensive end, blocking several shots during the game’s final minutes. Despite a strong effort by the Dragons, Richland’s talent won out, as the Rebels rolled to an 82-65 win.
Duvall, who has signed to play for Furman University next season, led Carroll with 25 points in one of his best games for the Dragons. Littles chipped in 16 points followed by Roberts’ 13. For Richland, Nolan Dennis rewarded the Division 1 scouts in attendance as he poured in 34 points in a variety of ways. Tommy Butler and Kyle Green added 16 points.
Carroll closed out District 5-5A play at 6-8 and posted a15-15 overall record. Richland improved to 24-6 overall, and 11-3 in district play.
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