3 takeaways from Memphis East’s OT win over White Station

<p><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Memphis East was facing a seven-point deficit late in the fourth quarter, but turnovers and fouls by White Station gave the Mustangs life.</span></p> <p>Memphis East needed senior forward <b>Kylan</b> <b>Haywood</b> late in the fourth quarter, and he delivered. He made the game-tying 3 as time expired to send the game into overtime at 65-all. Haywood scored the first two points of overtime, and the Mustangs (14-2) were able to defeat the Spartans, 74-71.</p> <p>Here are three takeaways from Memphis East’s win over White Station:</p> <p><strong>Kylan Haywood wanted to take the game-tying 3</strong></p> <p>After the game, Mustangs head coach Javonte Holmes mentioned to me that Haywood wanted to take the 3 that could tie the game. Holmes didn’t hesitate to give him the ball in the waning seconds. He had that much faith in him.</p> <p>Before the 6-foot-5 senior made the 3 that sent the game into overtime, Haywood made a 3 late to get his team within one (63-62). Memphis East took a 30 second timeout, then White Station took a full timeout. With 7.7 seconds left in the game, point guard Amauri Abner made two foul shots to put the Spartans (13-5) up 65-62. The Mustangs took their last timeout of regulation to setup a play.</p> <p>It was simple. Just give the ball to Haywood. He finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Haywood was big for Memphis East in the first half. He had 10 points.</p> <p>Haywood’s teammate, senior forward <strong>Duane</strong> <strong>Posey</strong>, finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds.</p> <p><strong>Late turnovers and fouls hurt White Station</strong></p> <p>Junior wing <strong>Davon</strong> <strong>Barnes</strong> fouled junior guard <strong>Tadarius</strong> <strong>Jacobs</strong> on 3-point shot attempt. Jacobs made all three foul shots to get the Mustangs within 61-59. Guard <strong>Kolby</strong> <strong>Hilson</strong> turned the ball on White Station’s next offensive possession as he was trying to pass it to the opposite side of the court to <strong>Amauri</strong> <strong>Abner</strong>. Abner then committed a foul before Barnes was called for an offensive foul.</p> <p><strong>Jacob</strong> <strong>Roberts</strong> made two foul shots to put the Spartans up 63-59 before Haywood’s 3. <strong>Isaiah</strong> <strong>Cathey</strong> picked up his fifth foul with 7.7 seconds left in regulation. He sent Abner to the line, and he made both of them to give White Station a 3-point lead before Haywood’s game-tying 3.</p> <p>In overtime, the Spartans held a 71-68 lead after back-to-back scores from Roberts and junior <strong>Willie</strong> <strong>Foreman</strong> <strong>III</strong>, but the lead quickly went away after scores from Jacobs and freshman guard <strong>Jamerion</strong> <strong>Harvey</strong>.</p> <p>Harvey missed the lone free throw that could have given Memphis East a two-point lead. Down 72-71, Hilson had another costly turnover that doomed White Station’s chances of getting the victory. Sophomore guard <strong>Terrance Jacobs</strong> <strong>Jr</strong>. sealed the game with his two free throws. He and his brother, Tadarius Jacobs, each had 10 points.</p> <p>Abner led the Spartans with 20 points. Roberts added 19. Barnes finished with 11 and Foreman III provided 10.</p> <p><strong>Memphis East won with its backcourt struggling</strong></p> <p>The Mustangs were able to defeat a good White Station team without Cathey, Harvey and the Jacobs brothers having solid performances. Cathey scored just four points. Harvey provided nine, but missed a lot of wide open shots from 3. Junior guard <strong>Jelani</strong> <strong>Willis</strong> didn’t score a single point. He’s still trying to get into rhythm as he was just cleared to play right before Christmas. It was all on Posey and Haywood to will Memphis East to the win.</p>