TCC Makes Valiant Comeback, Falls Just Short* to Edwards Road

by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer

Updated at 9:34 PM on 1/9/18

*Critical Note:  After review of the tape, the scorekeeper missed 3 points that TCC scored.  TCC actually took the lead late in the game and the outcome and decisions they made down the stretch would have been different had the score been correct.  TCC accepts the loss, but it will not be without an * in the record book.

TCC, playing without three starters and their first game in two weeks, showed rust early as they dug themselves into a hole falling behind by as many as sixteen points.  Then Ryan LaPierre struck.  LaPierre scored a season high 32 points to will his team back into the contest.  Patrick Gomer chipped in 14 points and Daniel Brown played his best all around game of the year with 8 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.  "We started in a zone defense but they were killing us from the three point line" said Jonathan Chasten.  "Coach made the decision to switch to man and that allowed us to put more pressure on them and start to claw our way back into the game."

"I was proud of how our team fought back" said Coach LaPierre.  "We were running on fumes, but the guys fought through and gave us a chance to win the game" added Brown.  Randy Pifer, who had been shooting 70% from the field coming into the game, struggled all night shooting.  He shot 0-6 and finished with 0 points.  "We didn't have the new official league ball tonight.  It felt like a foreign object in my hands" he said as he made excuse after excuse.  The rest of the team wasn't buying it.

Hugh Carson missed the first game of his career so he could watch the National Championship game.  Coach LaPierre was disappointed and promised there would be repercussions at practice this week.  Upon seeing that Georgia lost in overtime to Alabama, LaPierre changed his mind and said "he suffered enough last night".  Jordan Cobb and Ben Davis also missed the game but no excuses were given for their absence.  They will be dealt with internally.

With the first five games of the season over, TCC stands at 3-2* on the season.  This is now where they expected to be at this point.  The goal of an undefeated season was lost on opening night when they blew a big lead to Taylors, and a disputed loss last night to Edwards Road has the team searching for answers.  "We have now played every team in the league.  There should be no surprises as we go into the second half of the year and play each team for the second time" said Rome Lawson.