Live Oak — The Suwannee Bulldog varsity boys basketball team (18-6, 4-0) defeated the West Gadsden Panthers (21-2, 12-0) in overtime Saturday night, Jan. 28. The ‘Dogs won by a final score of 64-57.

Only one other game this season had gone into overtime for the ‘Dogs. That game was the last meeting of the same two teams on Dec. 23 in front of a rowdy Panther home crowd. The game had ended 52-52 in regulation, and resulted in a loss for the ‘Dogs (60-65).  

Suwannee was eager to play the rematch to avenge the previous loss, and the Panthers’ record was 21-1. Both teams had played road games the night before, and with senior Tony Frierson out with a knee injury, the team chain was missing one of its strongest links.  

As expected the game was very fast-paced, and both team offenses came out hot. The game was intense defensively as well, with both teams possessing a significant perimeter scoring threat. The ‘Dogs initially chose their trademark 2-3 defense; the Panthers chose man coverage which had been so successful in the previous matchup.

As if to send a message, senior Marcus Lane opened with a beautiful three-point shot.  That set the tone for the rest of the Suwannee game, which would be one from the perimeter virtually all night. The Panthers tied the game at 6-6 but Suwannee’s defense held them down to seven first-quarter points. The ‘Dogs were up 14-7 at the end of the first.

The game was a defensive standoff in the second, with neither team scoring until the 5:10 mark. For Suwannee, the defense was hustling. Guards Lane, Deangelo Ross, and Dontavious Hampton rotated to pressure the Panthers at the top and close the passing lanes. Devore kept close coverage of his backside man, Jimmie Taylor III cheated out a bit to help on the wing, and Hayes and Smith switched off guarding the paint.  

The Panthers held the ‘Dogs to only eight points in the second quarter. Suwannee was plagued by a series of one-shot attempts with no offensive rebounds. Taylor and junior guard Ross had the only two field goals of the quarter. Each netted a three as the Panthers outscored the ‘Dogs to decrease the Bulldog lead to two points at the half (22-20).  

The third quarter brought two lead changes and a tie. De’Andre Devore and Hampton assisted Lane and Taylor for three point shots, and Kevarrius Hayes went out with foul trouble.  Big Frank “The Tank” Smith came in the game and hit 2/2 free throws as the ‘Dogs were up 36-31 to end the third.

In the fourth, West Gadsden stayed alive with free throws, threes, and a few turnovers converted to baskets. Hampton scored a three, Taylor and Lane continued their offensive run, and Devore played outstanding defense while passing to set up teammates for shots. With 2:20 to go in regulation, the Dogs were up 49-41.  However, Panther defense stepped up with pressure and scored off two consecutive Bulldog turnovers in a row, followed by a foul that sent a Panther to the line to narrow Suwannee’s lead to one point with 57 seconds. Devore went to the free throw line and made one of two, but West Gadsden executed the rebound and fast break for an easy layup to tie the game at 50-50 with 27 seconds left. Suwannee had the ball on an inbounds play, but Taylor called a timeout with 11 seconds to avoid the offensive turnover as the game went into overtime.

Hayes was back in the game, and played a key role in the overtime win. He scored off an offensive put-back, pulled down key defensive rebounds, blocked an inside drive by the Panthers, and scored 2/4 free throws. Taylor nailed 4/4 free throws, and Lane swooshed two more threes including the final game shot to hand only the second defeat of the year to the Panthers, 64-57.  

Sophomore Devore passed for a career-high nine assists and had two steals. Both Taylor and Lane ended the night with six three-pointers each. Hampton, Ross and Lane combined for an outstanding defensive effort with five steals and five defensive deflections. Big Frank Smith also added five rebounds on the night.

The Bulldogs will play their final scheduled home game tonight, Feb. 3. There is a chance the ‘Dogs may return to Suwannee County in post-season play on Feb. 16, so fans please mark on your calendar and stay tuned!

Game Stats: (Pts-Rbs-Ast-Stl)

Jimmie Taylor III (26-15-1-1) 2 Bl

Marcus Lane (21-4-0-1)

Kevarrius Hayes (7-8-1-0) 1 Bl

Deangelo Ross (4-3-0-1)

Dontavius Hampton (3-1-2-1)

Frank Smith (2-5-0-0)

De’Andre Devore (1-8-8-2)