It may have been the best campaign pitch of all time for adding a shot clock to SC high-school basketball.
In a fast-paced offensive masterclass from both teams, Byrnes prevailed 103-96 over Fox Creek to claim the McDonald’s Shot Clock Tournament championship.
Byrnes trailed by as many as 18 in the game and 11 halfway through the fourth. But the Rebels kept Fox Creek at arm’s length and battled back to send the game to overtime tied at 91.
“You tell your guys throughout the game, if we can hunker down and play defense for a few solid possessions, you’ll be in a good spot,” said Byrnes head coach Layne Fowler. “The guys bought into that and did that.”
It seemed like Fox Creek couldn’t miss for the majority of the game. Led by Kobe Sims (20 pts), Justin Vining (23 pts), Chanze Allen (18 pts), and Jason Rogers Jr. (16 pts), the Predators were on fire from all over the court.
But when the well dried up slightly in the fourth, Byrnes pounced.
Sukhi Singh hit four huge three-pointers late, and Fabian McClintock was money in the paint toward the end of the fourth as Byrnes climbed back into the game. Singh finished with 24 on the night, while McClintock had 18.
“I take pride in being a go-to guy late in the game,” said Singh. “I’ve put the work in for my teammates to trust me to take those shots in the clutch.”
“My teammates trusted me with the ball near the basket, so I had to make my shots when I got them,” said McClintock. “I knew I’d have to put it on my back.”
The McDonald’s Shot Clock Classic has been held at Byrnes for the past four years, and in each tournament, teams play with a 35-second shot clock.
The shot clock isn’t mandated for SC high school basketball yet. But Byrnes head coach Layne Fowler says a game like Friday’s shows exactly why it should be.
“This is our fourth year hosting this tournament, and each year has been great,” said Fowler. “I love what the shot clock brings. It rewards good defense. I think anybody who saw that game tonight knows it adds such a different element to the game.”
Three Rebels were named to the McDonald’s Shot Clock Classic all-tournament team: Singh, McClintock, and Kellen Leverett.
Colt Fowler, who had 28 points in the win, was named McDonald’s Shot Clock Classic tournament MVP.
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