Kentucky Reach falls, 83-81
Published on May 11, 2004 under World Basketball Association (WBA)
Kentucky Reach News Release
Elizabethtown, Ky. â If early results are any indication, it appears that the Kentucky Reach prefer living on the edge.
Having seen several close games (including two wins by five points or less) go its way, Kentucky Reach was unable to find any last-second magic this time in an 83-81 loss on Tuesday at Central Hardin High School.
Macon built a 82-78 advantage with 10.5 seconds remaining following three free throws by Rocky Lane (one as a result of a technical on the Kentucky Reach bench). On the Reach's ensuing possession, Jared McCurry found Antoine Pettway wide-open for a successful three-pointer to cut the deficit to 82-81. Ronald Blackshear was fouled immediately and converted one of two free throws with three seconds remaining.
Kentucky Reach, an Elizabethtown based World Basketball Association franchise, had one last chance to win or tie the game, but Pettway, a former Alabama standout, was unable to get off a shot before the final buzzer sounded. It marked the second time in seven games that the Reach had a chance to win on the game's last possession.
"Pettway was pushed out of the way on the inbounds play," said a disappointed Reach coach Jim Farmer following the game. "There was definitely some contact there that disrupted the play. Things just didn't seem to go our way tonight."
The Reach seemed to have victory within their grasp at the 1:31 mark after James "Boo" Brewer, a former University of Louisville standout drained a 19-footer. The shot gave the Reach a 78-74 cushion, but Macon's 8-0 run over the remaining 80 seconds of the game was too much too overcome.
"It was disappointing to lose like we did," continued Farmer, . "I was satisfied with my team's effort, but it just wasn't meant to be. Give them (Macon) credit. They made plays down the stretch, and it was just one of those nights."
The end of the first half was filled with a bit of controversy as Macon coach "Tree" Rollins, a former NBA player, pulled his team off the floor with .7 seconds remaining. Rollins was evidently upset over an illegal three-second violation being called on Blaze guard Ronald Blackshear, followed by what he thought was a flagrant loose ball foul by Kentucky Reach forward Tyrone Levitt on Blackshear. Officials had called a loose ball foul on Levitt, but didn't determine it to be flagrant.
After about thirty seconds, Rollins returned to the floor and after a five-minute-or-so discussion with the officials allowed his team to come back out on the floor. Officials called a delay of game on the Blaze, but didn't change the call on the floor or assess a technical. Blackshear was awarded two foul shots, as the Blaze was in a penalty situation. Blackshear knocked down both foul shots to give the visiting Blaze a 41-40 lead at the half.
"That situation was not handled the right way," said Farmer. "I felt there should have been a technical assessed. You can't allow a coach, team to delay a game like that, but I don't want to say anything negative about the officials. We still had a chance to win the game." Neither team seemed to want to take control throughout the first half. Kentucky Reach built a 22-16 advantage with 8:42 remaining in the second quarter on Rob Lewin's monster slam dunk, but Macon stormed back with an 8-2 run to tie the game at 24-all on two free throws by former Lee University center Rocky Lane. The Reach trailed 41-40 at intermission.
Blackshear, a sharp-shooting guard, paced the winners with 25 points, including nine of 12 free throws. Lane added 21 points and 11 rebounds for Macon (2-3) while guard John Prise added 21 points as well.
Kentucky Reach (3-4) were led by former LSU guard Lamont Roland, who netted 23 points. Roland, however, also fouled out in the game's waning moments. Marshall Sanders (Kentucky Wesleyan) added 12 points, while Antoine Broxsie chipped in with 10 points.
Both teams suffered from poor shooting from beyond the arc. Kentucky Reach was a chilly 2-12 from long distance, while Macon was a miserable 3-12. Kentucky Reach was called for 22 personal fouls, while visiting Macon were assessed with only 15.
Kentucky Reach guard Antwain Barbour, a former Kentucky standout, was unavailable due to a prior commitment with the Wildcats' annual barnstorming tour.
Kentucky Reach will host Bristol (TN) on Saturday at 7 p.m.
World Basketball Association Stories from May 11, 2004
- Kentucky Reach falls, 83-81 - Kentucky Reach
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