McGill-Toolen 77, Hoover 74: Rene Scott powers Yellow Jackets in double overtime

Posted March 8, 2016


McGill-Toolen 77, Hoover 74: Rene Scott powers Yellow Jackets in double overtime

McGill-Toolen 77, Hoover 74: Rene Scott powers Yellow Jackets in double overtime

 
By Ben Thomas | bthomas@al.com 
on March 03, 2016 12:53 PM, updated March 03, 2016 6:56 PM
  • 03/03 - 10:30 AM Boys Basketball Final
    Hoover
    74
    McGill-Toolen
    77
Complete Box Score »

McGill-Toolen senior Rene Scott admitted he didn’t play his best in the first three quarters of Thursday’s Class 7A state semifinal against defending champ Hoover.

He sure made up for it late.

With three of his fellow starters already on the bench with five fouls, the 5-foot-7 Scott scored nine of the game’s final 11 points as the ninth-ranked Yellow Jackets toppled the Bucs 77-74 in a classic, back-and-forth double overtime game at Birmingham's Legacy Arena.

RELATED: WATCH RENE SCOTT'S LATE HEROICS

“I don’t know that Rene could have played much worse in the first three quarters, but he came through in the clutch as he always does,” McGill coach Phillip Murphy said. “He is a great player. They tried to take him away, and I think he tried to force some action early. Thankfully, he finished strong.”

Scott went 1-of-6 in the first half and finished with as many points as fouls (two each). He scored 19 in the second half and the overtime periods. His two free throws with 20.6 seconds left in regulation tied it at 60-60 and sent it to the first extra period.

However, Hoover (16-19) had its share of heroics as well. Trailing 67-65 with five seconds left in the first overtime, sophomore guard Jamari Blackmon drove down the lane and scored at the buzzer, pushing the teams into a second OT. He led all scorers with 29.

“I was just trying to create space and get to the basket,” Blackmon said.

Hoover seemed to be in control after that, building a 72-68 lead on Marion Humphrey’s free throw with 2:07 left.

That’s when Scott took control. He scored five quick points on a 3 and a steal and layup, and the Jackets were back in front. Johnathan Postell scored down low to give Hoover its final lead at 74-73. Scott scored the game’s final four points on a driving layup and two free throws.

“We knew he was extremely quick,” Bucs coach Charles Burkett said. “We closed gaps, but he squeezed through. He is an outstanding guard. When his team needed him most, he came through.”

Hoover had two more chances to take the lead but traveled on the first possession before Blackmon missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

Postell finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Hoover.

 


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