Lebanon Pioneers' Justin Brown Hits Late Layup To End Radford's Title Defense

BRISTOL — It took only 6.4 seconds in the game, but the Radford High School boys' basketball team watched its state title defense end in dramatic fashion on Saturday.

Lebanon’s Justin Brown drove from one length of the court to the other, slicing through defenders on his way to a winning layup as the Pioneers defeated the Bobcats, 62-61, in the Group A, Div. 2 State Quarterfinals at Virginia High School.

“This loss set our program back,” Radford coach Rick Cormany said. “There is absolutely no positive because this team absolutely did not deserve to win the basketball game.

"We didn't do anything smart or intelligent all night long, all the way to the very end when you let a guy—a post player—take the ball the length of the court and score to beat us. It was classic of how the whole game went. That was a defining moment.”

The game appeared to be in hand, as Radford freshman William Minter connected on six of seven free throws and junior Dontae Carter made all four of his attempts. It was Minter’s one miss, though, that allowed Brown to drive for the winning score in transition.

The majority of the game was close, with the largest lead being just four points through the first three quarters. However, that all changed in the fourth, when Radford (17-7) fell behind by a game-high 10 points, 51-41, and it looked as if the game’s momentum was shifting toward Lebanon (20-5).

Lebanon’s best player, Jerome Cobb, fouled out on back-to-back personal and technical fouls in the third, limiting the Pioneer offense late. Jerome Alexander and Dontae Carter capitalized and powered the Bobcats back in the game. The duo combined for 16 straight Radford points, as the Bobcats stormed back to retake the lead, 57-54.

Realizing they had to score and foul, the Pioneers sent both Carter and Minter to the line within the final minute. They connected on all four attempts, though, and it looked as if Radford was heading back to the state semifinals to defend its title at the Vine Center.

Late mistakes marred the repeat to Richmond, though.

Two fouls committed late by Radford against Lebanon stopped the clock, allowed for free throws, and gave the Pioneers a fighting chance to win the game.

“There is no moral victory here,” Cormany said. “I don't believe in moral victories. We did not deserve to win the basketball game. We had too many mental breakdowns. We were not a smart basketball team.”

Lebanon, a team who had shot poorly from the charity stripe this season, made its opportunities late, which led to the dramatic final score for the victory.

Jerome Alexander posted a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. Dontae Carter added 16 points for Radford, who finished the season with a 17-7 record and both the Three Rivers District regular season and tournament championships.

By CODY DALTON
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