fredh Posted March 1, 2006 Report Posted March 1, 2006 Hearne almost topples No. 1 Kountze By LARRY BOWEN Eagle Sports Writer HUNTSVILLE - The Hearne boys basketball team had a huge upset within its grasp Tuesday night, but the Eagles let it slip away in a flood of turnovers. Top-ranked Kountze rallied in the second half to beat the Eagles, 66-59, in a Class 2A Region III quarterfinal playoff game at Sam Houston State's Johnson Coliseum. The Lions improved to 26-6 and earned a spot in the semifinals of the Region III tournament, which will be played at Tyler Junior College on Friday and Saturday. Kountze has won 14 consecutive playoff games over three seasons, a run that produced a 3A state title in 2004 and the 2A crown last year. Hearne's 13th-ranked Eagles finished the season at 26-8, losing to Kountze in the regional quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. The Eagles led 29-26 at halftime and were within four points going into the fourth quarter, but the combination of 29 Hearne turnovers and a streak of hot shooting by Kountze foiled the Eagles' upset bid. The Lions had just eight turnovers. Kountze scored 26 points as the result of Hearne turnovers, many of which were self-inflicted even though Kountze applied full-court pressure for most of the game. "It was mental mistakes," Hearne coach Broderick McGrew said. "It is impossible to beat a team like them turning the ball over 29 times. I think five turnovers is too many against a team like that." Hearne committed 17 turnovers in the first half, costing the Eagles a chance to build a comfortable lead. The Eagles had seven turnovers in the third quarter, when Kountze took the lead for good by outscoring Hearne, 21-14. The Lions missed 40 of 58 shots through three quarters, going 5 of 18 from beyond the 3-point line. However, Cameron Powell hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth period and Fred Boykin made two consecutive treys as Kountze sizzled to start the quarter. Boykin's second 3-pointer pushed the lead to 56-48 with 5 minutes, 32 seconds remaining. "That was a huge momentum swing to start the fourth quarter," McGrew said. "I knew it was coming. I knew they were going to knock two or three down back-to-back. It was just a matter of how we were going to respond to it." Lynn Jenkins made two free throws to get the Eagles within 56-50, but Kountze took command with a follow basket by Adrian Lee and a fast-break bucket by Powell after a turnover. The Eagles pulled within 61-55 on a 3-pointer by Embry Humber at the 1:30 mark, but Kountze made 5 of 7 free throws to hold on. Humber led the Eagles with 19 points. Montrae Webber was the only other Hearne player to reach double figures, scoring 15 points. Sophomore Forrest Rucker had a game-high 12 rebounds, but had just two in the second half when he was in foul trouble. Powell scored 22 points to lead the Lions. Boykin scored 14 and Clayton Busby had 10. The Eagles dominated the first half in almost every way, but let Kountze hang around by making 17 turnovers. Hearne held a three-point edge at intermission on the strength of good shooting and great rebounding. With Humber scoring 10 points and guard Pat Edwards providing a spark off the bench, the Eagles made 13 of 25 shots in the first half and were able to overcome a five-point deficit midway through the first quarter. Kountze 66, Hearne 59 KOUNTZE (26-6) - Freddie Haynes 7, Jamesky Saberon 3, Fred Boykin 14, Adrian Lee 8, Clayton Busby 10, Cameron Powell 22, Trent Bottley 2. HEARNE (26-8) - Patrick Edwards 6, Lynn Jenkins 2, Embry Hunter 19, LaKeithen McDonald 5, Mychal Golbold 8, Forrest Rucker 4, Montrae Webber 15. Hearne 12 17 14 16 - 59 Kountze 13 13 21 19 - 66
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