Stallings Island Defeats Harlem in Overtime

Stallings Island 71, Harlem 65 (OT)
Middle School Boys (10-26-12)


After observing the opening day (Thursday) of middle school hoops action, we concluded that Friday's most interesting match up would be between the Lakeside and Grovetown boys teams. But the crowd at Harlem Middle School was probably treated to the most exciting contest in the area Friday when the Stallings Island Redhawks and the Harlem Bulldogs battled into overtime before the Redhawks prevailed 71-65.

After trailing by as many as 15 points during the second half, Stallings Island mounted a furious comeback, fueled by back to back threes by guard Kole Richardson (#4), one from especially deep just before the third quarter buzzer sounded, and the other at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Redhawks' interior players, Harrison Brown (#50) and Baret Doss (#44), completed the comeback when during the final minute, Brown scored in the post and Doss converted an offensive rebound basket to give Stallings Island a one point lead, 54-53.

After a Bulldog free throw forced overtime, The Redhawks dominated the extra period behind 12 points from Harrison Brown alone. The 71-65 victory improves the Stallings Island record to 1-1. Harlem falls to 0-2.

The Bulldogs' record is misleading, as the team is very capable. After scoring 10 points Thursday versus Lakeside, Jonathan Worrell exploded with 34 against the Redhawks, using his quickness to score in the open court and attack the basket. And back court mate Christian Harris shot well from the perimeter for the second consecutive game, contributing 11 points, including 2 three pointers.

But Brown's 35 points, along with 14 from Doss and 11 from Richardson, was too much for the Bulldogs to overcome at home.

Early in the season, it is clear that with all eight Columbia County schools in action simultaneously on game days, picking the single game that will be most exciting will be no easy task.