Reidsville runs off with fourth place at Shootout

DANVILLE — Reidsville’s Dionte Price stepped to the free throw line with 21 seconds left. The former George Washington student did not feel any pressure as he calmly sunk both free throws, which included a timeout in between the two.

Chatham was unable to convert on the other end, allowing Reidsville to escape with a 74-72 victory on Monday in the fourth-place game of the 26th edition of the Register & Bee Holiday Shootout at Averett University’s Grant Center.

The Cavaliers had a chance to either tie or win the game, but Chris Harben’s 3-pointer from the left wing was too strong and the Rams were able to play keep-away and milk the final seven seconds off the clock.

“Feels good to come back home and play in front of my hometown,” said Price, who finished with 16 points. “Knocked down two big free throws at the end of the game for the win.”

Reidsville (8-1) did not show the fire power early that the Rams displayed in Saturday’s game against Gretna.

Chatham (6-4) packed into a 2-3 zone, preventing Reidsville from getting many baskets in transition. Despite limiting Reidsville, Chatham was only able to extend the lead to six at 12-6 in the first quarter. That lead was the largest lead of the game.

Harben then took control in the second quarter. Using his size and ball handling ability, the 6-foot-4 senior was able to attack the Rams defense, scoring 12 of his game-high 25 points in the frame. Harden was also 8-of-10 from the free throw line in the frame.

“We played hard the whole game and just lost it right there at the very end of the game,” a dejected Harben said following the game.

Through the first three quarters, Reidsville only led once, but the Rams were able to take a 54-53 lead entering the fourth quarter after Devante Scarver made a layup off a steal.

Through the final quarter, no team was able to extend the lead to more than three points, when Chatham took the lead at 70-67 with 3:39 left after a Harben basket. The final frame featured five ties and three lead changes.

“Man, the win was hard and we didn’t play great,” said Scarver, who finished with a team-high 18 points, nine rebounds and six steals. “But, the heart and effort at the end is what counted baby.”

A.J. Williams finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Darence Jumper, who at 6-foot-6 was not effective against the Chatham zone, added six points, seven boards and a pair of blocks and steals.

“Overall, we came out and kept working and working and working and their size and toughness presented a problem for us,” Reidsville coach Bill Walton said. “They’re physical and our kids didn’t adapt to it and we adjusted well. All in all, I’m glad we got the victory. It was a tough, hard victory.”

Harben came close to a triple double, finishing the night with 10 rebounds and six assists. Solomon Witcher added seven points and a game-high 14 rebounds, and Patrick Murphy scored 13 points.

“Give (our players) credit for the effort,” Chatham coach Barry Mayo said. “That’s what I was pleased with more than anything, they gave 100 percent effort.”