Tournament final another classic battle

Evans and Greenbrier picked up right where the schools left off when it comes to the boys basketball season.

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The two teams produced the three best games in the county last year.

On Tuesday night, the heated rivalry came down to the buzzer again.

Evans topped the Wolfpack 48-47 in the Columbia County Tip Off Tournament Championship game at Greenbrier. Senior Deronte Williams gave the Knights a one-point advantage on a three-point play when he was fouled on a drive to the basket with 15.9 seconds left in the game.

"Deronte is one of our seniors out there," Evans coach Kevin Kenny said. "He was with us through last year's close games, and we felt good with the ball in his hands."

Greenbrier had a shot at a game-winner, but senior Andy Gray's jumper from the free-throw line rimmed out at the buzzer.

The one-point Evans victory was the most recent example of a rivalry full of nail-biters. The past four meetings between the two teams have been decided by a combined nine points.

This time around, the Knights got the win with three potential starters out because they're on the Evans football team.

The Knights won't field a full roster until football season ends, but the tools at hand on Tuesday were still strong enough for another rivalry win.

"Regardless of who fills each uniform it's going to be a good game," Greenbrier coach Casey Dees said. "It will be good games at the next two region games, too."

Evans' Anthony Williams led all scorers with 18 points and earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

Gray, who finished with 27 points in Greenbrier's two games, also made the all-tournament team.

Evans' Tony Davis was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Harlem 56, Lakeside 42

The Harlem Bulldogs won the consolation game over Lakeside.

Harlem led by as many as 20 points in the second half and shot 58.8 percent through the first three quarters.

Sophomore Cedric Boatner scored 26 points in the win and was named to the all-tournament team.

C.J. Marshall led Lakeside with 11 points and was also named to the all-tournament team.