ILMS boys score overtime hoops victory

by Sammy Fitzpatrick/Special to Carolina Gateway

The Indian Land Middle School Warriors basketball team has bounced back after close loss to Andrew Jackson Middle School. The Dec. 5 loss ended their hopes of an undefeated season, leaving them with a 1-1 record.
"Our goal going into the season was to win every time we stepped onto the basketball court. We did not came away with a win; however, I was extremely satisfied with our effort," ILMS boys head coach Sammy Fitzpatrick said.  
On Dec. 8, before a packed crowd on their home court, the ILMS Warriors rebounded from the AJ loss with a dramatic overtime win, beating Lewisville Middle School, 45-42.
The Warriors were led by center Austin Gordon, who scored a team-high 16 points.
Indian Land, with its pressure defense, jumped out to a 9-2 early  
advantage and finished the quarter with a 12-10 lead.
Lewisville stormed back behind the play of Marcus McCullugh, who dominated the game with his penatration and rebounding. McCullugh finished with a game-high 17 points.
The game remained close throughout, with Lewisville leading 25-24 going into the fourth quarter.
But it was tandem guards C.J. McClure and Mark Mortin who made the difference down the stretch. Both players made critical three-point shots that tied the game to send it into overtime.
In the overtime period, Mortin and McClure consistently double-teamed Lewisville's McCullugh, taking him completely out of the game, which ultimately lead to ILMS' 45-42 victory.
"This team never quits. Our team motto is to 'play harder than  
our opponents on every possession,' and we did that tonight," said coach Carlton McClure, who filled in for Fitzpatrick for the game.
The ILMS Warriors were lead by Gordon with 16 points, followed by McClure with 11 and Mortin with 10. Markese McCloud, Trevor Martin, Jacob Williams and Reed Strawhorn each added two points.