STAFF REPORT
COALMONT — The Community Vikings erased an eight-point halftime deficit on Friday night at Grundy County and got an incredible effort from Charlie Haskins, but in the end, dropped an overtime heartbreaker to the Yellow Jackets, 68-65.
Both teams drew their share of fouls in the contest, as Grundy County went to the line and shot 21-of-33 attempts from the charity stripe, while Community cashed in on 13-of-18 tries in the contest.
In the first quarter alone, Grundy County went 6-for-10 attempts, while Community went 6-of-11 tries.
By the end of the first, the score was deadlocked at 12.
And then the fireworks came.
Grundy County’s Sam Parson erupted for 11 points and the Yellow Jackets sank five 3-pointers as the hosts surged ahead with a 29-point quarter.
Community answered with plenty of fight in a 21-point quarter of its own. Charlie Haskins and Austin Stickler each scored six points, while Landon Lovvorn added seven.
Still, the Purple and Gold trailed by eight at halftime.
And while the Yellow Jackets offense was white-hot in the second, Community did its job in the second half, holding Grundy County to single digits in the third and fourth quarters.
Haskins continued his hot night and added eight more in the third.
He went on to score nine in the fourth and as the clock continued to dwindle, the Vikings held a slim lead in the final seconds, Grundy County drew a foul and was sent to the line with a chance to win in regulation.
With three seconds left Parson hit the front end of two free throw attempts to force overtime.
In overtime, fouls continued to become an issue and ultimately was the deciding factor in the game, as the Yellow Jackets cashed in on 5-of-8 tries to end the Vikings’ hope of stealing a needed district win.
Haskins had a stellar night, scoring a game-high 31 points.
Lovvorn finished with 15, while Stickler turned in a 12-point night.
Community 12 21 13 12 7 — 65
Grundy Co. 12 29 9 8 10 — 68
Community: Charlie Haskins 31, Landon Lovvorn 15, Austin Stickler 12, Jaxson Williams 2, Masyn Hill 2, Karson Boyce 2, Jonathan Lawell.
Grundy Co.: Sam Parson 21, Dylan Garcia 14, Reece Strong 13, Warren Langley 8, Nate Roberts 7, Gus Williams 4, Landon Parson.
3-Point goals: Grundy Co. (7): Garcia 3, Langley 2, Roberts, Williams; Community (4): Haskins 2, Lovvorn 2.
Halftime score: Grundy Co. 41, Community 33.
