Down by 10 points at halftime to the visiting Liberty (Raleigh) Raiders on Saturday afternoon, the Webster County Highlanders staged a memorable second half comeback, needing an overtime period to win 68 to 65 in the rematch of these two top Class AA teams.
Webster started fast in the first quarter with an 8 to 4 lead mid-way through the quarter. Outside shooting by the Raiders quickly erased that lead, and the first quarter ended with Liberty on top 13 to 12. The second quarter went south for the Highlanders as Liberty built up a 10 point halftime lead at 32 to 22.
In a post game interview, head coach Jerry Dean said that he told his players at halftime to go at Liberty's star sophomore, 6 foot 10 inch center Levi Cook and "keep taking the ball right at him, wear him out, and make him play defense." The strategy seemed to work as Cook was called for several fouls in the second half.
In the third quarter, the teams traded baskets throughout, but Webster inched closer. After three quarters, Liberty held a 49 to 41 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the no quit attitude of the Highlanders helped them take the lead at 53 to 52 with 4:39 remaining, and the teams traded baskets in a back and forth game. With less than one minute remaining in the game, Webster trailed Liberty 58 to 55.
After being fouled on a three point shot attempt, senior Brett Morris calmly made all three free throws to tie the game at 58 with 34 seconds remaining. Liberty then ran the clock down to 12 seconds and called a time out.
Webster's swarming defense then caused a Liberty turnover with just one second left in the game. After a timeout, the ball was in-bounded to Morris, who launched a 35 foot shot that narrowly missed at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime. Webster outscored Liberty 17 to 9 in the fourth quarter.
Webster quickly built up a 68 to 60 lead in overtime. When it looked like Webster had the game in the win column, it was the Raiders this time who would not quit. With 1:17 remaining in overtime and an 8 point lead, Liberty fouled several Highlander players in the last minute sending them to the foul line. It then appeared that a lid was placed on the basket as Webster missed free throw after free throw to keep Liberty's hopes alive.
Webster still held the 8 point lead when Liberty drained a 3 point shot with 27 seconds remaining to close to 68 to 63. Then, after more missed Webster free throws, with 11 seconds remaining, the Raiders made an easy layup to close to 68 to 65. With 3.3 seconds remaining, Senior Guy Cowger was fouled during a breakaway layup shot attempt. After he was fouled, Webster was called for an ill-advised technical foul.
Cowger missed both of his free throw attempts keeping the lead at 68 to 65. A Liberty player then went to the line for two technical free throws, both of which were missed. Liberty then threw up a desperation 3 point shot at the buzzer which over-shot its mark, and Webster escaped with the 68 to 65 win.
Morris led the Highlanders with 36 points, including 12 of 16 free throws. Morris also had 5 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 1 steal, and 2 assists. Senior Hunter Given was the only other player for Webster to score in double figures with 13 points. Given added 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist.
Other Webster players on the stat sheet included: Dalton Davis, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists; Guy Cowger, 6 points, 5 steals, 2 assists; Stephen Cogar, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists; Jake Thayer, 2 points, 3 rebounds; Logan Taylor, 2 points; and Robbie Cogar, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist.
Cook scored 18 points in the game, and his presence on the Court altered Webster's performance both offensively and defensively. After the game, Cook and Morris both agreed that a "rubber game" rematch at the State Tournament in Charleston would be welcomed. Morris and teammate Given also said that Cook was more than a handful throughout the past two games. Given said part of his strategy was to take a lot of charges from Cook, and that worked at least twice during the Highlanders' fourth quarter comeback.
As a team, Webster made 37% of its shot attempts (23 for 61), mirroring their cold 37% shooting performance against Liberty this past Wednesday night. Webster nearly lost the rematch with poor free throw shooting, making only 19 of 36 free throws (52%).
With the win, Webster improved to 12 wins, 3 losses on the season. They next travel to play the Pocahontas County Warriors on Monday, February 11, 2013.
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