Hoover sinks BJHS on buzzer-beater
Levi Randolph scores 2 of his 40 points Monday in the Patriots' 71-69 overtime loss at Hoover to end the regular season.
Bob Jones’ Levi Randolph scored 40 points, including the Patriots’ final six points in regulation and five of the team’s six points in overtime, in the regular-season finale at Hoover on Monday, but it wasn’t enough as Jaron Davis nailed a 30-footer at the buzzer to give the Bucs a 71-69 victory.
Hoover jumped out on the Patriots early, but could never seem to put the game away.
Despite trailing five at the half and at the end of the third quarter, Randolph put the Patriots on his back in the final quarter, nailing a pair of free throws with 53 seconds remaining, to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Randolph nailed a pair of layups and sank a free throw, but Davis’ game-winner and four free throws proved to be the difference for the Bucs.
“They shot the lights out,” said Bob Jones head coach Danny Petty of the Bucs. “If they continue to shoot like that, they’ll be in Birmingham.”
Despite the loss, Petty said it was beneficial for his team to play in a game against a big program in a big-time environment before area tournament play begins Friday.
“That was a tremendous game, and it’s always good to play a game like this, especially on the road,” Petty said. “But I’m really proud of the way our kids fought back in the second half.”
Offensively for the Patriots, Randolph was 16-of-25 from the field for his 40 points.
“He just took over, which he is capable of doing at any time,” Petty said of Randolph. “He gave us an opportunity to win.”
Jeffrey Moss was next for the Patriots with nine points, while Reggie Ragland, who spent most of the first half on the bench after getting into foul trouble, was held to just three points.
For Hoover, TJ Harris had a team-high 15 points, followed by John Crain and Davis with 14 apiece.
After the game, Petty reminded his team that the Patriots also lost the regular season finale last year before going on a run to capture the Class 6A title.
“That was a good pressure game for us. We’ve just got to learn from it,” Petty said. “Our season starts Friday.”
