Carson Graham Eagles Come Up Short In "Battle of the Woods" vs. Killarney Cougars
Carson Graham Sr. Boys vs Killarney
(photo credit: Blair Shier)
This afternoon we have the Carson Graham Eagles hosting the Killarney Cougars to kick off the No Regrets tournament on Carson’s home court. The battle of the woods features a Cougars team in black and green and the Eagles in grey with white and red trim.
The game started with Killarney’s #12 recovering the opening tip-off. Ball movement by the Cougars was strong and #13 was left open for a layup to open the scoring, one of what would be many on the afternoon. Carson was stymied on their drive the other way, with #21 from Carson denied on the shot. Carson got the ball back and #24 made 2 attempts under the basket that were no good. After the ball went out of bounds, their 3-point try was no good and Killarney recovered. now up 3-0 after tacking on a free throw. Carson was strong on defense with towering number #24 rejecting number #10 in the paint. Carson came back with a strong drive by #21 that went out off a block for a Carson inbound. After some miscommunication moving the ball, it ended up back out of bounds for a Cougar recovery. Carson got the ball back and a long 2pt by #24 to opened the scoring for the home team.
Killarney came back to get 2 of their own thanks to a good screen at the top of the key. On their next possession, with shot clock winding down, Carson made good on some quick passes ending up in a one handed shot by #24 in grey for another 2 points. Play continued back and forth with Carson # 24 going to the line after getting mauled under the basket. On the next possession Carson #10 tied up the ball with Killarney #0, resulting in a jump ball. Carson was soon fouled on their drive and the Killarney coach, through his magnificent beard, called a timeout. Just over 5 minutes left in the first quarter both teams have come out strong.
After 2 missed free throws by Carson #21, the Killarney team made it up the court with some crisp passing but #4 swooped in to steal the ball and Carson got another 2 on the rush. #12 for Killarney picked off a pass to take it the other way but was fouled and sent to the line. The hometown fans made a racket, and he missed the first but scored the second.
Carson was starting to settle in and show some strong defense. Killarney #12 made a 3-pointer and Carson #21 was unsuccessful on a try of his own back the other way. Carson recovered the rebound but weren’t able to get the basket. #13 for the Cougars went to the line after a foul, bringing the noise from the Carson fans trying to rattle him. He looked calm and collected but was only able to get the 1st one to go.
Back and forth it went with players coming off the bench with fresh legs on both sides. A drive by Carson #11 drew a foul and he went to the line where he sunk 1 of 2. Killarney #13 took it the other way and drove hard along the baseline to get a “Noa” doubter layup. Play continued end-to-end with both teams unsuccessful scoring any points. With 20 seconds left in the quarter, Killarney was able to get a basket. Carson tried one last drive and left a few seconds on the clock, Killarney stole it back with enough time for Skarica, #13 in black, to drive and take a foul. Carson was able to take it the other way with a few seconds on the clock with # 7 shooting a deep 3 to end the half leaving the crowd buzzing.
An action packed first quarter resulted in Carson down by 2.
The second quarter started with a questionable foul (according to all the referees sitting in the stands) and Killarney went 1 for 2 to open the quarter. Killarney was able to get another 5 in a row to start the quarter, going on a 6-0 run. Carson was looking a little shaken to start the 2nd quarter, struggling to defend and a bit discombobulated on offence. The score was 22-14 for Killarney as they opened up an 8-point lead 2 minutes into the quarter, resulting in a Carson timeout to settle things. Carson got their first score of the quarter with #24 at the line scoring on one of the pair of shots. Carson’s spirit was boosted getting on the score sheet. The Eagles started double teaming a strong number #13 from Killarney, but he got open to score 2 from the top of the key. Carson answered back with 2 quick baskets thanks to a great pick and another quick break off a turnover.
Killarney was denied on their possession and Carson came back with the towering #24 fouled under the basket after snagging his own offensive rebound 3 or 4 times. Both free throws were good, bringing the gap in the score to 3. After some back and forth play with good defense on both sides, it seemed briefly that most baskets were being scored off free throws. Carson tied it with a finger roll from #21 with the help of his long wingspan. Some drama ensued after Killarney got called for a technical for taunting after sinking a nice 3. The last 5 possessions of the half were all unsuccessful which left the score at half 31 – 27 for the visiting Cougars.
Both teams looked rejuvenated coming out of the locker room for the second half; maybe they had some of “Jordans Secret Stuff” to fuel up. On the opening possession, Carson moved the ball well around the perimeter with #21 pulling up for a smooth jump shot from the top of the key. Killarney came back and scored a quick 3-pointer, both teams getting on the board early. Carson’s drive was stopped in its tracks, with Killarney going back the other way for an “and-1” for number #12 in black. He missed the resulting free throw but Killarney recovered and were able to score another 2, bringing the lead to 9. Carson got their own basket and a foul but missed the free throw as well.
At the other end of the court, Carson Graham’s #12 drove the net resulting in a questionable foul but the 2 free throws were missed. Carson seemed to be heating up with some strong play to cut the gap to 3. The crowd was roaring after #21 for Carson rejected a shot and after a few crisp passes, #4 scored a deep 3. Four minutes into the second half the “Battle of the Wild” was tied at 40.
Carson took their first lead of the game with some tenacious play in the front court and another quick basket. Things settled in with some strong defence by both teams. Play continued back and forth with the teams trading 3 pointers but Carson retained a 2-point lead. A fast break by #13 tied it but #24 for Carson was able to spin off the defender and sink a jumper. Carson tapped number #11, #22 and #8 off the bench early in the second half, reminiscent of a hockey line change. A rare offensive foul got the ball back for Killarney and #12 got a basket from inside the key. With one minute on the clock Carson was called with an over-and-back, giving the ball back to the Killarney side. Like a cougar on the prowl, #4 was able to prey on Carson heading back the other way and steal the ball. They ended up at the line but both shots were missed. The teams played strong in the 3rd quarter as they settled in, but the 4th quarter would decide things with the Killarney Cougars holding onto a 1-point lead.
The Cougars opened up the 4th going to the line and scoring 1 of 2. Carson’s possession went out of bounds and Killarney went the other way but were unsuccessful on the jump shot. Carson #8 was feisty in the paint with a rebound and bucket. Killarney missed on their possession with Carson getting a basket back the other way. Teams traded scores the next few possessions and the Eagles retained a 1 point lead 3 minutes into the quarter. Carson put #4 and #21 back on the court to bring a boost of energy to their squad. Killarney #50 scored a nice layup with some swift moves to drive the paint and get the basket. #24 for Carson answered, seemingly un-guardable in the paint, and scored the shot in tight. After a missed 3 pointer by Killarney, they got their own rebound to add 2 points. Killarney made some subs of their own to bring some extra juice in the final 5 minutes.
At the line#12 for the Cougars missed both free throws while being serenaded by the homecourt fans. Carson wasn’t able to answer back, and Killarney came back for 2 of their own opening the lead to 3. Carson came back the other way with a missed shot, but #10 swooped in for a quick rebound and score. Carson stopped Killarney on their possession and came back with #10 in shiny purple shoes draining a 3 pointer. 3:10 left on the clock with Carson up 2 and a “Lets Go Eagles” chant ringing throughout in the gym. Killarney was able to score 2 quickly and with the game knotted at 66 apiece, Killarney had the ball. Carson Coach, in his dapper jacket, was enforcing decision-making from the bench. The Cougars didn’t make the shot but stole the ball back quickly and were fouled on the resulting rush up court. #12 in black missed the first one but composed himself to score the second to take a slim lead. A smooth play under the basket off a turnover gave Killarney another score and a 3-point lead.
With 50 seconds on the clock Carson took a time out to settle in for the final stretch. Could they close the 3-point lead or would the game slip away?... Carson turned the ball over with 15 seconds left after an ill-advised pass and Killarney was soon fouled. #5 in black clutched up to score 1 of 2 and make it a 2-possession game with 9 seconds on the clock. The inbound by Carson was picked off in the final seconds sending Killarney back to the line to ice the game. Carson came up just short in the final quarter and couldn’t get it done.
A great afternoon of hard fought basketball from both teams.
Player of the Game honours went fittingly to Killarney Cougar number #13, Noa Skarika, with strong performance on offence and defence.