TCC Wins Overtime Thriller

by TCCNN Lead Reporter Randy Pifer
updated at 11:23 pm on 1/2/17

In a game for the ages, TCC squeaked out an impressive overtime win against the formidable Edwards Road Baptist squad 53-47.  The Reformers were led by star forward Ryan LaPierre 24 points and Hugh Carson's 12.  Rome Lawson came up big with 13 rebounds and defensively dominating their big man, number 5, frustrating him time and time again with blocked shots and tipped passes.  In one play early on, Lawson blocked him so well it caused the big fella to tumble to the ground and the referee called a held ball.  "He got into his head early and he spent the rest of the game trying to go at Rome with no success" said Randy Pifer

TCC almost won the game in regulation when Carson hit two free throws with 3 seconds left to give the Reformers a 2 point lead.  But a horrible defensive lapse by Pifer allowed a wide open layup at the buzzer to force overtime.  It was all TCC in the extra session as they ran away from Edwards Road with timely shooting and all out hustle to push their record to 4-2.  With 4 games remaining on the schedule TCC is 2 wins away from clinching the best record in TCC history.

TCC has been on fire the last few games and it can be traced back to a players only meeting in which Lawson lit into some of his teammates.  The team seems to have responded with improved play on both ends of the court.  "He is definitely an emotional leader on this team" said Jonathan Chasteen.  "When he speaks, we listen" said Sam Ali.  "Mostly cause he is huge and scary" added Daniel Brown.

Brown, a Clemson fan, looked a little sluggish having just arrived earlier in the day from his trip out to Arizona. When asked what was more important than the team that he had to travel out west he simply replied "just wanted to take in some sights".  Coach LaPierre benched him at the start of the game to remind him of where his priorities should lie.  Ali, also a Clemson fan, was benched to start the game as well for conduct detrimental to the team.  "He broke some team rules and had to sit out.  We talked about it before the game and he understood why and accepted his punishment" said GM Pifer, a noted Buckeye fan.