Southwind Suffers First Loss
In a game defined by turnovers, Olive Branch escaped Tennessee with a 69-68 overtime win.
Southwind (8-1) held a late lead, but prolific scorer Mark Freeman left open the window to the Victory House. He split a pair of free throws.
After torching the nets all game, unsigned senior Kelvin Allen buried a triple with 10.6 seconds left to draw even 62-62.
Mark Freeman split the pair. Southwind (TN) allowed two offensive rebs and 2018 G Kelvin Allen (MS) buried a wing 3! 10.6 sec left. 62-62. Southwind ball.
— Andrew Force (@AndrewForce8) December 9, 2017
Kelvin’s triple changed the tone of the game.
Overtime
Shamar Brown was really a role player offensively Saturday. Still, the Tennessee Prep transfer knocked down two big three-pointers. The triple he hit in overtime opened the game to 68-64.
Southwind answered with a quick break. At 68-66 the Jaguars called a timeout with 27.2 seconds left.
Josh Stevenson split his own pair of free throws. SHS wing Caleb Spann scored a layup off a Freeman saved ball, but Olive Branch held the ball out of bounds and the Olive Branch team won 69-68 in overtime.
Revelations
Mark Freeman created easy layups with difficult, evasive handles. He probed with such purpose. In spite of the Olive Branch athleticism, Freeman turned Freeman played such a mature brand of defense. He stole post feeds by reading the passer’s eyes. He dashed into the comfort zone of opposing guards and ripped it free. Worse for Oliver Branch was the resulting Freeman fast breaks.
If the senior made one more free throw the game was curtains.
Instead MVP needs to be shoveled out to Kelvin Allen. The Olive Branch senior scored 20 of the Inquisitors first 43 points. He also hit that integral late three-pointer to ultimately send the game to overtime where Olive Branch won.
As young as Olive Branch is, they have a chance to win a state title in Mississippi this season and next season. The junior class is remarkable with D.J. Jeffries, Joe Cooper, Shamar Brown, and Josh Stevenson.
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