They Come Up Short, but Win in Long Run

Playing with only two players for the last 70 seconds of overtime after seven other players fouled out, North Jackson High School rallied from a five-point deficit for a 69-67 victory over Ft. Payne last Friday night.

“Our kids could hardly believe what they’d done,” said North Jackson assistant coach Victor Griggs. “They just piled up in the middle of the floor. Shellshocked.”

Ft. Payne Coach Phillip Collie said he had “never experienced the pain I felt after that game. It’s one of those things you never think could happen, one of those situations you never go over.”

Trailing, 67-62, with 1:10 remaining in overtime, North Jackson appeared to have no chance for a comeback when senior center Robert Collier and junior guard Chad Cobb were the only players left on the floor.

“I’m thinking, ‘No way,’ ” Coach Jay Sanders said. “What do I say to the two kids?”

Cobb began the comeback by making a three-point shot. After Ft. Payne missed a shot and lost the ball out of bounds, Collier inbounded to Cobb, who was fouled and made both free throws to tie it, 67-67.

“After he made the first one, I’m thinking, ‘Hey, maybe we’ve still got a chance,’ ” Sanders said.

Ft. Payne was called for traveling with 13 seconds left. After a timeout, Collier had to throw the ball in to Cobb, who was triple-teamed. Cobb eluded all three defenders, took the inbounds pass and dribbled the length of the floor. He missed a shot, but Collier got the rebound and scored with six seconds remaining.

Ft. Payne missed a shot at the buzzer.