Bobcats take consolation crown as Wilson beats buzzer

With the Berryville Bobcats and the Monticello Billies tied at 48 with 12.4 seconds left in the consolation championship game of the CS Bank Holiday Hoops tournament, there was no doubt who would get the basketball for Berryville.

And senior Jake Wilson delivered, hitting a driving layup in traffic with 2.7 seconds remaining to lift the Bobcats to a 50-48 victory on Friday, Dec. 30, at Bobcat Arena.

After Monticello’s Jeremiah Daniels made two free throws with 12.4 seconds left to tie the score, Berryville coach Brent Compton opted not to call a timeout.

“A lot of times in those situations, when time is running out, you call a timeout and you give the defense a chance to get a plan,” Compton said. “They were out of timeouts and we were tied, so we were just going to go on the open floor and see what kind of play we could make and it worked out.”

The final basket gave Wilson 27 points for the game. He had 16 in the first half as the teams fought to a 25-25 halftime tie.

Monticello surged ahead for a 38-33 lead at the end of the third quarter, but a three-pointer by senior guard Nate Allen and a pair of free throws by Wilson pulled the Bobcats even with 6:29 left to play.

Senior Jack Dignan scored off an offensive rebound at the 4:55 mark,

then put the Bobcats ahead with a three-point that made it 43-42 with 3:15 left.

Monticello answered with a three-pointer, but Wilson made the first of two free throws with 2:38 remaining, then scored in transition for a 46-45 lead at the 2:04 mark.

Wilson made one of two free throws with 1:02 left and split another pair

with 28 seconds remaining to put Berryville up 48-46 with 28 seconds left and set the scene for the hectic finish.

“I thought our kids were completely worn out and found a way to win,” Compton said. “It was just a grind-it-out game and i was super proud of their effort.”

Berryville came within a whisker of winning all three of their tournament games. In their opening game against Fordyce, the Bobcats took a 49-47 lead on Dignan’s three-pointer from the left corner with eight seconds left. But Fordyce’s Brandon Sledge got to the rim just before the buzzer, made a layup and drew a foul. Sledge then added a free throw

with no time on the clock to give the Redbugs a 50-49 win.

“It’s just unfortunate for us,” Compton said. “We could have done a better job defending that last play. Their speed and athleticism really was the difference in that last play.”

Wilson scored 28 points and Allen added 11 for Berryville.

On Thursday, Dec. 29, Berryville defeated Pocahontas 56-34 as Allen made six three-pointers and scored 20 points. Wilson added 18, including his 1,000th career points. Senior D.J. Colbert scored 13 points for Berryville.

Berryville will host Huntsville on Tuesday at Bobcat Arena before traveling to Gentry on Friday.