Purples outlast Gators

By Rob Herbst, rherbst@bgdailynews.com — 270-783-3238

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Bowling Green missed 3-pointers, missed inside buckets and missed mid-range jumpers.

Luckily for BGHS, it didnt miss many free throws.

Despite their team shooting only 28 percent from the field, Bowling Greens Rondale McMillian and Jordan Blann combined to hit five of six free throws in the final 30 seconds and held off Greenwood 47-43 in the opening round of the District 14 Tournament at GHS on Tuesday.

The Purples (17-9) will face Warren Central in Fridays championship and earned a spot in next weeks Fourth Region Tournament.

Our defensive effort won us this game and we needed it because I really think there was a lid on our basket, BGHS coach Aaron Beth said. But we stepped up at the very end with our shots and a coach couldnt be prouder.

The Bowling Green and Greenwood regular-season battles were decided by only five points and the tournament game continued that trend, even though both teams were offensively challenged.

Greenwood (14-15) shot only 31 percent from the field and neither team led by more than six points until the final three minutes of the contest.

Blann, the Purples leading scorer on the year, was a likely hero, but freshman guard Rondale McMillian wasnt.

McMillian shot under 35 percent from the free-throw line this year, but he went to the line for a 1-and-1 situation with BGHS nursing a 42-40 lead and 23 seconds remaining.

McMillian swished both attempts. Both were needed because Greenwoods Tyler Peterie buried a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left.

For (McMillian) to step in and hit those was just huge, Beth said. He wasnt afraid. Its not really what I wanted, but hey, Ill take it.

Then it was Blanns turn.

He hit two free throws with 14 seconds left for a 46-43 BGHS lead. Greenwoods Chris Keith then missed a game-tying 3-pointer at the top of the key in the final seconds before Blann split two free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining. Blann led BGHS with 18 points.

I love being in that situation, Blann said. You dont think about anything up there and just concentrate.

Keith led all scorers with 24 points on six 3-pointers, but Greenwood couldnt muster much more offense.

Greenwood trailed 42-35 in the final minute before Keith hit a 3-pointer from the corner. Ty Tipton cut the lead to 42-40 on an offensive rebound and putback with 32 seconds left.

We never got comfortable offensively, Greenwood coach Blane Embry said. Its ironic that we wait for the last minute of the game to run our two sets to perfection. We finally got the shots and looks we wanted.

Both Bowling Green and Greenwood shot under 25 percent from the field in the first half as BGHS took a 20-19 halftime lead. But Greenwood built a 28-25 lead on Lee Portmanns putback before the Purples found an offensive spark.

McMillian canned a 3-pointer and reserve Jordan Carter came off the bench for another 3-pointer to put BGHS up 31-28, a lead it never gave up.

McMillian finished with 12 points.

I told them before somebody would have to step up in tournament time that normally doesnt step up, Beth said. Tonight it was Rondale. We were stagnant offensively before we finally hit a few shots.

Bowling Green held a 38-33 lead with two minutes remaining when it seemed as if it would try to take time off the clock. Instead, Blann, who also struggled from the field throughout the night, let go of a 3-pointer from the corner and nailed it with 1:45 remaining for the Purples biggest lead at 41-33.

Jordan is the only guy on our team that has the green light the entire time, Beth said. Anybody else would have gotten in trouble unless they made it. That wasnt what we talked about in the huddle, but that finally gave us a little breathing room.

Bowling Green 10 10 13 14 – 47

Greenwood 9 10 9 15 – 43

Bowling Green (47) Blann 18, McMillian 12, Savage 7, Jackson 4, Parker 3, Carter 3

Greenwood (43) Keith 24, Davis 6, Tipton 6, Portmann 4, Peterie 3

Warren Central 88

Warren East 48

Warren Central won its 33rd consecutive game against District 14 teams and moved into Fridays District 14 finals with an 88-48 win over Warren East.

The heavily favored Dragons (23-4) had six players reach double figures, led by Troy McFarlands 19 points. Joe Hood and Jeremy Anderson each had 14.

Were tickled to death to adva nce, Central coach Tim Riley said. If you dont think this game was huge, just think if we had lost it. Wed have been the talk of the state of Kentucky. The best thing we can do is keep our kids loose and let them enjoy it.

East (2-24) hung around with the defending state champions for one half and trailed only 37-25 at halftime.

But the Dragons scored the first nine points of the third quarter.

Freshman guard Demetric Ray led East with 10 points.

We played our hearts out, East coach Russell Malone said. We knew we had nothing to lose. But Central has so many guys, theyll come at you in waves and its going to take a toll on you.

Warren East 11 14 6 17 – 48

Warren Central 17 20 24 27 – 88

Warren East (48) Ray 10, Kirk 8, Fox 8, Pearson 7, McGuffey 5, Dye 4, Yates 2, Barrick 2, Ellis 2

Warren Central (88) McFarland 19, Anderson 14, Hood 14, Hall 12, Britt 10, Hudson 10, Smith 3, Fields 3, Rhodes 3

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