A top-ten contest was a hit in the final minutes as Red Level built a big advantage and held on to the thrilling win of 62-61 against the county opponent Florala at the Red Level Christmas Tournament boys championship on Wednesday, December. 27.
“Red Level’s” Dominic Williams Jr., right, shoots shots from long range while the Florala’s Dalton Jackson, left, defends.
The two teams fought hard right from the beginning and played tight with one another during the first period. Ben Carroll gave the eighth-ranked Tigers an early 2-0 lead but Rayshon Coleman knocked down back-to-back threes, bringing their second-ranked Wildcats into a 4-4 advantage. Javen Poindexter, and Dominic Williams Jr. collected baskets, and then switched hands after the hosts snatched an advantage of 10-6. Noah Bryan drew Florala even at 10-10 until an 8-0 run. Buddy Griffin had two threes in the closing minutes and was instrumental in bringing Red Level to an 18-10 advantage after just one.
Florala came within six times early in the second and that was about as close as it could get throughout the first quarter. Poindexter as well as Williams each had six points during the first half, and Griffin hit his third three-pointer. Kolton Barlow scored an offensive rebound, and extended his lead up to 35-21. Jonathan Neal scored a three on the other side, and Coleman got four points during the game. Red Level increased its lead to 37-23 by the time halftime rolled around.
The Wildcats were back in full force with a 17-point performance in the third period and held their opponent to just eight points. Coleman was the leader with 10 points and a trio of threes. Bryan was hot from the outside with the two 3-pointers he scored. Poindexter scored three points, and Williams was the other, while the Tigers were able to see their lead shrink to 45-40 at the close the third period.
Buddy Griffin, right, is on the ball after one of his three-point shots on behalf of the Tigers against the Wildcats’ Noah Bryan.
After Poindexter started the fourth quarter by making a free-throw, Coleman tied the score at 46-46, with 6:42 left during the contest. Red Level once again had an answer to the deadlock, and utilized another eight-point run to gain the lead. Poindexter scored four points, while Jamari Brown and Jamari Brown also hit the hoop to score two. Griffin scored a pull-up jumper, and extended his lead up to 54-46 at 4:40 to finish. Florala continued its comeback effort with a flurry of points as Dalton Jackson closed the gap to 56-53 at 2:39 point. Neal scored his third three of the period which gave the Wildcats an advantage of 61-59 just 30 seconds remaining. Williams scored a crucial three in a retaliation just 10 seconds remaining and the Tigers were able to hold on for a amazing one-point win.
Poindexter was the top scorer in the win for Red Level (6-4) with 28 points in the victory. Williams Griffin and Williams Griffin also scored double-digits with 13 and 15 points, respectively.
Coleman Coleman led Florala (10-4) losing with 29 points while Bryan added 11. Neal as well as Jackson scored seven and nine points, respectively.
Rayshon Coleman from Florala left block a shot made by Red Level’s Javen Poindexter (right) in the Red Level Christmas Tourmanent boys championship.
The All-Tournament team consists of the following:
- Dominic Williams Jr. – MVP of the Tournament (Red Level)
- Javen Poindexter (Red Level)
- Buddy Griffin (Red Level)
- Rayshon Coleman (Florala)
- Noah Bryan (Florala)
- Kaden Wiggins (Straughn)
- Taylor Sikes (Straughn)
Florala defeats Straughn (5-8) by a score of at 57-46, in the opening boys’ tournament on Dec. 26. All three county teams come back from Christmas break to begin the second quarter of the season with area games. Red Level travels to Georgiana on Tuesday, January. 2. Florala is scheduled to Kinston and Straughn hosts Hillcrest-Evergreen, with the two games on Thursday Jan. 4.
The article Red Level boys edge Florala in the tournament title classic was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
