By Jim Workman
It was the type of matchup the Big Atlantic Classic has become known for.
Saturday’s AAA contest between No. 2-ranked Logan and No. 3 Capital didn’t disappoint.
Logan knocked off the Cougars 99-93 in overtime before a large afternoon crowd at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.
“It was a tough win,” Logan coach Mark Hatcher said. “We played much better defense in the second half. We made four or five stops in a row that gave us a chance. That allowed us to get back in it.”
State player of the year candidate Noah Cottrill tallied a game-high 31 points, but shot just 10 of 20 from the field (including 0 for 5 from the three-point arc) and a lackluster 11 of 20 from the free throw line.
“I think that’s the first time that I haven’t hit a 3 in a game in my whole career,” said Cottrill, a 6-foot-3 senior guard who has signed with West Virginia. “I guess I was just cursed this weekend.
“We were in a slump, but we found a way to fight through it. I was looking forward to playing here. I have a lot of family here, but I just couldn’t shoot.”
Logan dropped a 74-59 decision to No. 9 Morgantown Friday night.
Capital went up 7-0 in the game’s first two minutes. But a scrappy Wildcat bunch battled back. The Cougars continued to frustrate Logan on offense, leading by as many as 12 points in the second quarter and took a 39-33 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Logan still couldn’t find a comfortable flow in the third quarter, but stayed within striking distance as Capital held on to a 63-57 lead heading into the fourth.
The Wildcats made an increased effort to take the ball to the hole late in the game, and benefited by drawing fouls and hitting their free throws.
Logan connected on 9 of 13 foul shots in the fourth.
Cottrill gave Logan a 78-77 lead with 22 seconds left in regulation with a shot from the charity stripe.
But Capital post man Tommy Gwinn sank a free throw with 12 seconds showing to knot it at 78-78.
Cottrill had an attempt to win it at the buzzer fall short on a strong drive to the lane.
Despite three 3s from the Cougars in overtime, Logan sealed away a win with spurts of 10-2 and 8-3 to close it out.
Junior guard Paul Williamson contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists for Logan. He was 8 for 8 from the foul line at crucial times in the fourth quarter and overtime and 9 for 9 in the game.
Bryce Dalton stepped up for the Wildcats, adding 17 points, including four 3s, one trey and three free throws coming in the bonus period.
Deyonta Coleman chipped in with 16 points for Logan, 10 points posted in the fourth quarter and OT.
Hatcher’s squad is playing top caliber competition, something he expressed a need for.
“Hopefully we’re preparing ourselves,” he said. “We’ll have something to gauge ourselves by if we’re lucky enough to make the state tournament.”
Capital had balanced scoring as well, getting 19 from Mark Hale and 18 from James Morris, with Jeff Harris and Gwinn adding 16 and 13, respectively.
Capital coach Carl Clark had few words for reporters afterward.
“I’m at a loss for words,” he said. “I don’t know, we just fell apart. I’ll have to go back to the drawing board and see what we did wrong. I’m not pleased.”
Logan 99, Capital 93, OT
Capital (12-2)
Sam Jones 3 2-2 9, Mark Hale 8 2-3 19, Dominique Ferrante 3 1-2 7, Ethan Smolder 1 0-2 2, Tommy Gwinn 5 3-6 13, Jeff Harris 6 2-3 16, James Morris 6 1-3 18, George Burkes 4 0-0 9. Totals: 36 11-21 93.
Logan (13-3)
Bryce Dalton 4 5-6 17, Deyonta Coleman 6 2-2 16, Paul Williamson 4 9-9 18, Noah Cottrill 10 11-20 31, Gary Miller 2 0-0 4, Timmy Rein 1 1-2 3, Justin Sammons 0 0-0 0, Jordan Canada 3 1-2 8, Drew Vess 1 0-0 2, Steve Browning 0 0-0 0, Chris Kelly 0 0-0 0. Totals: 31 29-41 99.
C 22 17 24 15 15 — 93
L 17 16 24 21 21 — 99
Three-point goals: C: 10 (Morris 5, Harris 2, Jones, Hale, Burkes); L: 8 (Dalton 4, Coleman 2, Williamson, Canada); Fouled out: Jones, Gwinn, Harris.
