SPORTS & MORE The Levy County Journal The County Paper, Est. 1923 levyjournalonline.com Jan.8 , 2009 Williston survives stubborn Indians, 58-48 | Story and photo by Rick Burnham Editor Paul King hit two 3-point shots minutes apart in the fourth quarter Tuesday as Williston overcame a stubborn Chiefland team, 58-48. ‘Williston trailed 41-40 with six minutes left when King connected on an arching shot from the left side. Moments later, with the Red Devils ahead 45-44, King hit another, this time from the right side. The 5’6” sophomore added two free throws down the stretch as Williston improved to 11-4 on the season. King’s heroics spoiled an otherwise impressive night for Chiefland (8-6), which pestered the third-ranked Red Devils all evening. In fact, the Indians stayed within striking distance virtually all game thanks to the play of Eugene Carter, who led all scorers with 18 points, and Cantrell Richardson, who scored 16 and grabbed double-digit rebounds. - But Williston got scoring from eight different players in the game, including 15 from junior Isaac Floyd. Floyd banked in a 3- pointer with seconds left in the third period to put his team up 39-36. The Red Devils would also get nine from Jacques Edwards, who ‘added a 3-point shot with a minute and a half | Late 3-pointers clinch victory for Red Devils David Vespignani was fully convinced his team could have — and should have — played better. “We just are not a very good team right now,” he said. “I would love to put it another _ way and sugar coat it, but we are just not very good right now. We need guys who are very capable to play up to their capabilities, and right now we are not getting that out of enough of them.” Williston managed an early. 12-6 lead behind Michael Solomon, who scored an inside basket off an offensive rebound, and another moments later on a pass from Deonte Welch. Two shots by Edwards — ‘a 3-pointer and a layup — closed out the ‘Williston first quarter scoring to make it 19-13 Red Devils. But Chiefland would not go away. Richardson opened the second quarter with a short basket, and Carter followed with a 10-footer to get their team to within 19-17. ‘Williston scored the next seven to go up 26- 17, but Chiefland countered with a 9-0 run to © tie the game at 26 with a minute left in the half. Chiefland Head Coach Mark Lundy was ‘encouraged by his team’s effort. “T really felt good in the-third périod,” he said. “We had some opportunities late that Williston’s Ss iecanee Edwards dribbles past Stephen Davis of Chiefland Tuesday at left in the game. Williston. The Red Devils pulled away late in the fourth quarter to win. we should have capitalized on, but they are a Despite the victory, Williston Head Coach good team. I am proud of our guys.” Chiefland varsity boys win close game with Bronson Story and photo by Terry Witt Staff Writer The Chiefland varsity. boys’. basketball. team defeated Bronson High School 49-45.Saturday in a hard- fought defensive battle that came down to free . throws in the final three seconds. _ Bronson made a run in the fourth quarter, chipping away at Chiefland’s 33-21 lead going into the third period with a defense that forced turnovers. The Eagles’ Kelby Barber drove to the basket and scored with 3.4 seconds left, closing Chiefland’s lead to 46-45. Bronson Coach Aaron Haldeman called time out. - When he had set his defense and sent the team out on the court, Chiefland Coach Mark Lundy called time ‘’ to reset his players. It was a chess match of sorts on the basketball court. ee On the inbound pass that followed, Barber was forced to foul immediately. Chiefland’s Eugene Carter went to the line and hit 1 of 2 free throws to expand Chiefland’s lead to 47-45. Bronson grabbed the rebound on the missed free throw, but was called for a foul. With two-tenths of a second left in the game, Chiefland’s Steven Davis sank 2 free throws under heavy game pressure, increasing the Indians’ lead to _ 49-45. The crowd on both sides of the gymnasium was frantic by then. The gym was rocking. But time had run out for the Eagles. Bronson had no hope of s Scoring 4 points. Chiefland players knew it. Lundy was beyond happy when the final ieee sounded. ° Chiefland’s C.J Jack throws an elbow into the neck of Bronson’s Kneisha Means in Saturday’s clash in Bronson. The two were fighting for position under the basket. Qk His team had won on free throws, a part of the game that the Indians haven’t always excelled at, according to Lundy. But in a fierce cross country rivalry game, the Indians had made 3 free throws “i when it counted most. “We knew they were going to make a run,” Lundy said. “Those kids are good ball players. But our kids battled and we came out with the win.” . Lundy said it had been a defensive fight from the start of the game. Neither team was willing to give ground, Chiefland outscored Bronson in the first two. periods, but Bronson outscored Chiefland in both periods of the second half. Lundy said his team looked fundamentally sound throughout the game. The Indians did a good job of finding shooters with crisp inside passes. Chiefland’s Cantrell Carter was particularly adept at passing to_ the open man when Bronson bottled him up under the boards. Lundy said finding the open man made a difference in a close game. “T don’t need any credit for this win,” endy said. The credit goes to those kids. They have worked _ hard’for four years. They deserved the win.” Bronson Coach: Aaron Haldeman commended his team for battling. He said he believes they could have won if they had they played the entire eanle like the last four minutes. “It was a close one. It’s a bummer, but you learn from it,” Haldeman said. “Chiefland played hard. They were physical. They were quick. We just came out flat.’ See Indians, Page 12B . Story and photo by Terry Witt Staff Writer A strong fourth quarter lifted the Chiefland High School varsity girls to a 46-39 win over Bronson Saturday night. The game was close, and there was plenty of contact. Chiefland’s lead narrowed to 34-32 as the | third period ended and disappeared entirely when Bronson’s Liz Gray tied the score at 36-36 with 6:50 to go in the fourth. But the Lady Indians took advantage of Bronson turnovers and missed shots in the final five minutes to take back the lead,and expand it. Bronson was unable to use its size advantage to score points. Kneisha Means and Liz Gray were dominant on the boards, but the’Lady Eagles were unable to convert rebounds into points. Gray led Bronson in scoring with 12 points. Chiefland Coach Emily Gore complimented her young team on winning their second game of the season. She fielded a freshman and two sophomores Bronson defenders Dustin Crutchfield (13) and C.J. King on the right fight to stop Chiefland’s Cantrell Richardson from taking a shot. Attempting to screen King away from the basket is Steven Davis. Lady Indians beat Bronson with late run as part of her starting five for a portion of the game. “T told my girls overall we did some good things,” she said. Charlene Davis led Chiefland in scoring with 13 while Madalyn McGray had 11. Gore said Chiefland’s half court press disrupted Bronson’s offense and led to turnovers and points. “They were really getting after it,” Gore said. “I definitely saw spunk out of some of them.” She said the Christmas break helped her team. They needed time off. But she said the Lady Indians are in a learning mode. “We're still young,” she said. Scoring: Chiefland — Charlene Davis 13, Madalyn McGray 12, Renashia Bowers 7, Janessa Barrios 6, C.J. Jack 6, Amber DePew 2. Scoring by periods 13-12-9-12 — 39. Bronson — Liz Gray 12, Ashley Thomas 8, Angela Freeman 5, Brittany Griffin 6, Lossie Mitchem 4, Brittani Davis 2, Kneisha Means 2. Scoring by periods 10-10-9-9.