By Jayson Larson Sports Editor
Tyler’s LaBree Sledge scored 11 of his 16 points in overtime and the Apaches rallied from a 10-point deficit with 10 minutes left in an 84-82 double overtime win over Trinity Valley Saturday at Cardinal Gym in the Region XIV Conference opener for both teams.
The Cardinals (6-1, 0-1 in Region XIV Conference) had a 16-point lead early in the second half but watched it slip away over the final eight minutes. Brad Gay came alive for the Apaches (6-1, 1-0) late in the second half, scoring eight straight points for his team to cut the lead to 62-57 with five minutes left.
Kyle Ford’s three-pointer with 2:37 left cut the lead to 66-63, and Gay nailed another trey from the corner to tie the game with 1:10 left. The Cardinals had no answer, as they went the final 3:59 without a point.
Isaiah Rusher helped rally the Cards in the first overtime, scoring a pair of baskets and grabbing four boards — three on the offensive end — to give his team a 70-68 lead a minute-and-a-half in. Chris Blake, who had a big second half for TVCC, gave the Cards a 73-70 lead with a three with 2:27 left.
But again, the Cards’ struggled to score, getting only one more point in the extra frame. Sledge stepped up for the Apaches, hitting a putback bucket and then a running floater in the lane to give his team a 74-73 lead with 1:39 left.
It was Tyler’s last bucket of the first overtime, and Adrian Forbes hit the second of two free throws with 1:19 left to tie the game at 74-74 at the end of the period. Ford missed a three-pointer and the Apaches whiffed on two more tip chances at the rim in the closing seconds.
The Apaches took the lead for good in the second OT on Jonathan Edwards’ layup with 2:27 remaining, giving Tyler a 79-77 lead. Sledge hit another floater and a three, matched by Rusher’s layup and a three by Reggie Stallings for TVCC, to keep the Tyler lead at 84-82.
With heavy pressure in the backcourt, TVCC forced a 10-second violation with 10 seconds left in the second overtime. But Stallings heaved a three that bounced out after hitting the front and back iron on the rim as the buzzer sounded, setting off the Tyler celebration.
Blake led the Cardinals with 19 points. He was joined in double figures by Stallings (13); KeAndre Derrick (12); Forbes (12); Rusher (10); and “Stretch” Watson (10).
Gay led all scorers with 24 points for the Apaches. Cade Clark pitched in 10.
TVCC returns to action Nov. 27 at Brookhaven in Dallas. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
