Fort Valley – Lithonia’s Jacara Cross scored seven of his team’s last 11 points and added a game-changing block with 18 seconds remaining to lead his team to a 55-53 victory against Sandy Creek and into the Class AAAA semifinals.
The Bulldogs led 52-45 with 1:26 remaining when the Patriots got two 3-pointers from Elias Harden, the last pulling Sandy Creek to within one point, 54-53, with 36 seconds left. Sandy Creek forced a turnover with 20 seconds left and had chance to take the lead.
With 18 seconds remaining, Harden drove in the lane toward the basket, with a chance to give his team the lead, but Cross made a possible game-saving play above the rim. Sandy Creek began fouling, but Lithonia did not capitalize, missing three of four free throws in the final seconds.
“It took our defense until the fourth quarter to wake up, but when I saw (Harden) spin and go low, I knew I had my chance,” said Cross, who finished the game with 15 points.
Lithonia Coach Wallace Corker was not pleased with how his team played in the final minute.
“I am very disappointed,” he said. “We are better than that. I think they got caught up in the moment. I feel when it’s your first time here, the atmosphere and excitement kind of got the best of them, but we’re better than that.”
Lithonia’s Tyheem Freeman scored 17 points, and Rodney Chapman added 11 points. Sandy Creek was led by Harden, who finished with 18 points and had eight points during the Patriots’ furious late rally. Christian Turner added 16 points, Javon Jackson had nine points, and Evan Jester scored eight.
