Cary Academy shocks WCDS boys

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on November 18, 2009 1:46 PM

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Cary Academy strolled into the Wayne Country Day gymnasium with no noticeable advantages. The host Chargers had the size, speed and depth.

Despite those obstacles, Cary Academy turned in an impressive underdog performance and stunned WCDS 77-75 in double overtime on Tuesday evening. It was the head coaching debut for Cary's Kenny Inge, a North Carolina State graduate.

"We looked around and I told my guys that we can't control the height of the other team and we can't control how athletic they are," said Inge, whose team has been practicing for two weeks. "All we can control is our effort level and our intensity."

Cary Academy dictated the tempo.

After falling behind by a basket in the second half, Wayne Country Day head coach Terry Jones decided to make a statement. Jones pulled all of his starters off the floor and went with a hustling group of reserves for a majority of the fourth quarter.

"One thing I won't accept is guys not playing disciplined basketball," said Jones. "If you are not going to play smart, then you are not going to play. That's the bottom line."

The Chargers built a six-point lead with the backups in the game, but could not withstand a late rally by Cary Academy's two best players.

Trailing 62-59, Cary's Jimmy Joyner raced around a screen and buried an off-balance 3-pointer with just nine seconds left on the clock. Wayne Country Day did not get a shot off before the buzzer and sent the game to overtime.

Point guard Cameron Walton scored four points in the first four-minute period as the teams traded baskets. North Carolina Central signee Tim Hobbs took the final shot of the first overtime period for the Chargers, but misfired from the top of the key.

Tied at 68-68 after one OT, the fatigued teams returned to the floor. Cary Academy jumped in front, but Hobbs answered with back-to-back baskets to force a 75-75 tie.

Joyner drew a loose-ball foul with three seconds remaining and buried two free throws to complete the upset. After a timeout, Jones watched as Wayne Country Day's final attempt fell short.

"I told my guys that (Cary Academy) would not be the most athletic team, or the most imposing," said Jones. "But they would play solid fundamental basketball and they would play hard the entire game."

Walton led the visitors with 28 points, while Joyner chipped in 27 points and eight rebounds. Hobbs finished with 25 points for Wayne Country Day. Josh Gregory contributed 14 points and five boards, while McCarter provided just seven points in limited minutes.

Wayne Country Day plays host to the two-day, Charger Tip-Off Classic, which begins Friday. The Chargers oppose Shannon Forest (S.C.) at 7:30 p.m., while Rocky Mount Prep faces Brisbane Academy at 6 p.m.

WCDS plays RM Prep on Saturday. Game time is 3:30 p.m.