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Tigers fall to Campbell in OT despite huge comeback
CAMPBELL — The Neelyville Tigers boys basketball team overcame a 20-point deficit at one point, but ultimately came up just short at the end against the hosts in the semifinals of the Campbell Invitational.
Neelyville was down 41-21 to the host Campbell Camels midway through the third quarter, but then rattled off a 22-2 run to tie it up at 43 less than a minute into the fourth quarter.
One would think Neelyville coach Brad Burdin drew up a series of plays in the huddle, but that wasn’t the case.
“Honestly nothing was said in the huddle,” Burdin said. “It wasn’t an X’s and O’s problem. It comes down to when we want to execute and do the things we do in practice, we can compete with most teams. When we went on that run I didn’t call any plays or anything like that, they did it all on their own.”
Despite the unbelievable comeback that forced the game into overtime, the Tigers ultimately fell to Campbell by a score of 67-60.
“Going into the fourth and then into overtime, the focus was higher and the intensity and desire to compete was there,” said Burdin. “We actually had a chance to win instead of just showing up and being on the floor. It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish.”
The Tigers’ second-half charge was led by Casen Stephens, who scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half, including a couple of clutch 3-pointers during Neelyville’s third-quarter run.
Carson Parker made an impact in the paint battling for rebounds while leading the team’s offense with 19 points for the game. Parker also got the Tigers over the hump as he laid it in to give Neelyville a 45-43 lead early in the fourth quarter.
With that bucket, Parker got fouled in the process but couldn’t convert on the and-one opportunity, which was an unfortunate theme for Neelyville in the fourth quarter and overtime where the Tigers only made 5-of-10 shots from the charity stripe during that stretch.
Despite the free-throw line struggles, the Tigers still fought for offensive boards and to finish.
“That’s all that matters that they fight for the rebound and finish at the rim,” Burdin said.
With the loss in the semis, Neelyville will play Risco in the third-place game Friday night, while Campbell will face Bernie for the championship.
“The effort they showed of not giving up (when down by 20) is something to be proud of,” Burdin said. “We talked about the little things and adjustments we’ll make in practice, but moving forward that’s the type of effort and fire that we’ll have to play for 32 minutes.”