It was a long afternoon for the Ethel girls and boys basketball teams Saturday at the Bulldog Invitational hosted by McAdams. In games against J.Z. George. the Lady Tigers won in double overtime 50-48, but the Tigers dropped a heartbreaking overtime game 70-68.
The Lady Tigers started fast, jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the first two minutes and led by a much as 11 points. The lead was eight after three quarters 35-27 before J.Z. George rallied to tie the score 41-41 on a basket by Kennedy Johnson with 15 seconds left in regulation. Ethel trailed for the first time during the first overtime that ended 46-46.
The Lady Tigers made only seven of 22 free throws during the two overtimes, but four that were made during the second extra period resulted n the victory.
The game ended on a strange note. Up by two in the final minute, Ethel held the ball away from the basketball, but J.Z. George never came out to challenge as the final 30 seconds clicked off the clock.
Jasmine Newman had a game high 22 points for J.Z. George. Zakiya Dotson led Ethel with 14 points.
In the boys game, Malik Branch of J.Z. George was fouled as time expired in overtime and made both free throws to give J.Z George the victory. There were 15 lead changes in the game.
Deanthony McGlothlin scored 30 points for J.Z. George, including a three-pointer with 18 seconds left in overtime to tie the score.
Ethel also played Louisville at the tournament. The boys lost 95-47 and the girls were beaten by the defending 4A state champion 65-9.
The Ethel boys (1-8) fell in a heartbreaker 43-42 to East Webster last Tuesday. The Lady Tigers (3-8) lost to East Webster 56-33.
Ethel will be off for the Holidays and won't return to the court until 2020 when they travel to Winona on Friday, Jan. 3.
