If Robert Woodard II’s ankle was hurting he didn’t show it.
The Columbus High School boys’ basketball junior missed Friday night’s loss to South Atlanta because of a sprained ankle. He didn’t even dress.
But he returned to the court Saturday night and scored 30 points to help Columbus beat it’s crosstown rival New Hope High 71-62 in overtime in the final game of the Joe Horne Christmas Classic at the Columbus High gym.
“I knew when three minutes hit the clock it was time to take over,” Woodard said. “I just basically told them to give me the ball, spread it out and just get to the free throw line, that was my mind-set.”
Woodard made one of three free throw attempts at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime. He missed the front end of a one-and-one but got his own rebound and was fouled again. He made one of two to force another four-minute period.
Columbus coach Gary Griffin said his team preserved even after trailing for most of the game.
“They kept telling themselves when they came to the huddle during a timeout that there was too much time on the clock. They were still in the game, so I knew from their standpoint they were going to continue to fight and that’s what they did,” Griffin said.
Denijay Harris scored 22 points for the Falcons (5-6).
The Trojans (10-3) took a 49-40 lead midway through the fourth quarter after a 10-2 run. Terryone Thomas, who had 22 points, capped off the run with a one-handed dunk.
“We still had control of the game, but in the final two minutes, we missed too many free throws down the stretch,” New Hope coach Drew McBrayer said. “We’ve got to be able to step up to the line and make those free throws down the stretch.”
JaQuante Bell scored 13 points, while Tyler Stevenson and Andrew Junkin scored 10 a piece for the Trojans.
After the Falcons scored the first four points of the second quarter, the Trojans went on a 10-2 run to take a 23-11 lead. Tyler Stevenson scored six points and Terryonte Thomas scored the other four. But the Falcons fought back and finished the first half on a 10-2 run to trail 25-21 at the break.
The two teams combined for seven made field goals (New Hope six and Columbus one) in the first quarter as New Hope led 13-5. Woodard made three free throws and Jonte Williams made the Falcons’ first field goal late in the opening quarter.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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