BOYS' BASKETBALL: SC taps out 'Morse' code

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on January 26, 2017 9:57 AM

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bcoley@newsargus.com

PRINCETON -- Spring Creek head coach Taylor Jones has served as the Gators' basketball coach for about a decade.

In all those 10 years, the Gators have never won a game in overtime. That unfortunate streak came to a screeching halt against Princeton on Wednesday night.

Spring Creek's Dominique Morse nailed a crucial 3-pointer with 33 seconds left in overtime, and lifted the Gators to an emotional 66-62 road victory over Carolina 1-A Conference foe Princeton.

"When we play Princeton, every single year, it doesn't matter what the teams' records are," Jones said. "It's always a classic game. I can't explain it. I've been doing this for 10 years, and out of the 20 games we've played or more, they're always right down to the end."

A combined five lead changes and four ties highlighted the fourth quarter and overtime periods.

Spring Creek's Jamerion Dawson opened the extra period with a tough basket inside the painted area. After a few exchanged free throws by both teams, the Gators clung to a 61-59 lead with a minute remaining.

Princeton's Earl Gibson Jr. -- with a blank poker face -- knocked down a 3-pointer to give Princeton its first lead in overtime.

That's when Morse decided to respond with a dagger of his own.

"They tried to take Najee (Young) out of the game all night," said Jones, describing the critical play. "We got the ball in (Young's) hands, and he could've easily thrown a shot up. But he found Dominique (Morse) on the weak side through a triple team."

On Princeton's next possession, Gibson drove into the lane and attempted to hand the ball off to a teammate. However, his pass was intercepted.

Spring Creek's Landon Smothers calmly dropped two free throws on the other end, and effectively sealed the thriller.

"They don't have anything to be ashamed of," said Bulldogs' head coach Jeff Davis. "(Spring Creek's) in first place. (Spring Creek) did a really good job defensively, and they did a really good job on Colby (Sullivan). But other guys stepped up."

Austin Sullivan paced the Bulldogs with 21 points and nine rebounds. Spring Creek was led by Landon Smothers, who poured in 24 points and six 3-point baskets.

Jones said it's important that a team has an identity of fighting through anything. After five single-digit victories in their past seven games, the veteran coach believes his Gators are proving they are up to the task when adversity strikes.

"A lot of people say you're not good because you're winning last-possession games," Jones said. "My heart doesn't like going into last-possession games, but for a team, it needs to go through that. I think it toughens you up and stiffens you up."