SHAWN DIGIANFELICE
Sports Writer
HOHENWALD – The Community Vikings (17-12) rallied from a 14-point first-quarter deficit to force overtime, but Lewis County (18-8) was able to pull away in the extra period to claim a 61–55 win in the quarterfinals of the region 5-AA tournament at Lewis County High School on Saturday night.
Lewis County jumped out to an early 4–0 lead behind baskets from Maddox Tanner and Dakota Hull before Charlie Haskins put Community on the board to make it 4–2. Bo Banks answered with a three-pointer to extend the Panthers’ advantage to 7–2, but Viking sophomore Andrew Tocchio countered with a three of his own to cut the deficit to 7–5. Carson Stewart was fouled while shooting a three-pointer and connected on two of three free throws to push Lewis County ahead 9–5. Stewart’s free throws would begin what started a decisive 12–0 run, highlighted by two three-pointers from Kobe Feichtinger and another from Tanner, to stretch the lead to 19–5 midway through the opening quarter. Community responded with three-pointers from junior Jonathan Lawwell and sophomore Masyn Hill to pull within eight at 19–11 late in the period. Feichtinger capped the quarter with his third three-pointer of the quarter and drew a foul on the play. Though he would miss the free throw, Lewis County led 22–11 at the end of the first quarter, which featured a combined eight three-pointers between the teams.
The Vikings opened the second quarter with two free throws from Haskins and a basket by Lawwell, trimming the margin to 22–15. Banks halted the run with a basket and an old-fashioned three-point play to restore a double-digit lead at 25–15. Community answered with a 9–3 run behind four points from senior Josh Powers, four more from Haskins, and a Lawwell free throw to cut the deficit to 28–24 with 1:38 left in the half. Lewis County closed the half on a 6–0 run to take a 34–24 lead before Haskins scored and was fouled in the final seconds. He missed the free throw, sending the Vikings into the locker room trailing with 34–26.
The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter, with Community outscoring Lewis County 9–8 during the period but still trailing 42–35 heading into the final eight minutes.
Offense was hard to come by early in the fourth quarter until Powers grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to make it 42–37 with just under five minutes remaining. Haskins followed with a basket, then Powers converted another offensive rebound and putback to pull Community within one at 42–41 with just over three minutes to play. A steal by Powers led to a Haskins layup that gave the Vikings their first lead of the night at 43–42 with 2:50 remaining. Phenix McDonald tied the game at 43 after hitting one of two free throws with 2:20 to go. Haskins struck again with 2:07 left to give Community a 45–43 edge. Dakota Hull would tie the game at 45 with 1:26 remaining in regulation. With under a minute remaining, the Vikings appeared content to hold for the final shot, but a controversial five-second call on Haskins gave Lewis County possession. Tanner was fouled with 17.5 seconds remaining and calmly knocked down both free throws to put the Panthers ahead 47–45. Haskins responded by driving to the basket and drawing a foul with 7.5 seconds left. He sank both free throws to tie the game at 47 and force overtime.
In the extra period, Community struggled offensively while Lewis County found its rhythm, pulling away for a 61–55 overtime victory to advance to the semifinals against Summertown. The loss ends a successful season for the Vikings and first-year head coach Hunter Ferrell.
“I can’t express how proud I am of my guys for battling back after being down 14 points in the first quarter,” Ferrell said, “These guys haven’t quit all year and bought into my vision when I took over the program. At tournament time, a few plays one way or the other decide a close game between two good teams, and Lewis County made a few more plays than we did in overtime,”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach this team and will always be thankful for the contributions our seniors — Jaxon Williams, Zach Leathers, and Josh Powers have made to put our program on the path we want to continue,” he concluded.
Haskins led Community with 18 points, while Powers delivered one of his best all-around performances of the season in his final game with 12 points and several key rebounds. Williams added seven points, and Leathers finished with three. Tanner led all scorers with 21 points for Lewis County. Banks added 17, and Feichtinger chipped in 10.
The loss ends Community’s season at 17–12.
Community: 11-15-9-12-8—55
Lewis Co.: 22-12-8-5-14–61
Community: Jonathan Lawwell-4, Charlie Haskins- 18, Jaxon Williams- 7, Josh Powers- 12, Masyn Hill- 3, Andrew Tocchio- 8, Zach Leathers-3.
Lewis Co. : Phenix McDonald-6, Maddox Tanner- 21, Kobe Feichtinger-10, Dakota Hull-5, Bo Banks-17, Carson Stewart-2, Wood, Chapin.
Halftime Score: Lewis Co. 34 Community 26
Three Point Baskets: Community 6: Williams 2, Hill 1, Leathers 1, Tocchio 2. Lewis Co. 8: McDonald 1, Tanner 2, Feichtinger 3, Banks 2.
Records: Community: 17-12 Lewis Co. 18-8
Community senior Josh Powers (5) had a huge night for the Vikings with two offensive rebounds that resulted in 4 of his 12 points in the game. Community would come up short, falling 61-55 to Lewis Co. in overtime to finish the season 17-12.