An electrifying season came to a premature end for the W.S. Neal Eagles last Tuesday when the team fell short of coming back from a double-digit deficit against Thomasville in the sub regionals.

At the end of the first quarter, Thomasville led the game 17-7. With the Eagles’ dismal shooting continuing into the second quarter, Thomasville looked to pad on to its comfortable lead. Neal made a late surge in the quarter down 31-11, going on a 5-1 run to close out the half. Thomasville led 32-16 at halftime.

The Eagles came out in the third quarter playing with a newfound purpose, a purpose that showed why when hitting on all cylinders, its one of the the better teams in the region.

Led by senior Tyshawn Davis, and an overall team defensive presence, the Eagles went on a 10-0 run to begin the quarter. Thomasville’s Korey Adams stopped the bleeding with a three pointer to make the score 35-26, in favor of the Tigers.

Neal answered back with back-to-back threes by seniors Troy Lewis and Treylon Watson. Neal outscored Thomasville 23-9 in the third quarter. Thomasville limped into the fourth with a 41-39 lead.

Neal threatened to take the lead in the fourth after another three pointer by Lewis–his third of the game. After the three, Thomasville went on a 6-0 run. With time dropping below the two minute mark, the Eagles trailed 50-45. The Eagles could not counter on free throw opportunities.

On the other end, Thomasville didn’t miss its free throws. Thomasville’s Rashad Mosely went 6-6 down the stretch in free throws, dashing the hopes of any late game comeback for Neal.

“We came out a little bit overhyped and (Thomasville) came out hot shooting,” Neal head coach Dewan Salter said. “We just dug a hole for ourselves in the first (half) that we just couldn’t get out of. That changed the game at that point.

“We couldn’t quite get over that hump to take the lead,” Salter said. “I think if we could have took the lead the game would have changed for us but it didn’t happen.”

Leading Neal was Troy Lewis with 13 points and five rebounds; Tyshawn Davis with 11 points and six rebounds; and Treylon Watson with 10 points.

The Eagles finish its season 21-8, seven games better than its 14-win season last year. The Eagles were a perfect 5-0 in the area this season.

 

TRM 30, Pike County 47

The T.R. Miller Tigers suffered a 47-30 defeat to Pike County in the subregionals.

Pike County led at the half 19-11. By the end of the third the Bulldogs led 30-20. Miller was outscored 17-10 in the fourth.

The Tigers finish its season 10-12.