SURVIVOR

Four quarters and four overtimes later, the Corbin Redhounds survived. The Redhounds advanced to the 13^th Region semifinals with an 88-80 win over the Bell County Bobcats. Don’t let the final score fool you, the game was a nail biter for Corbin fans from the start.

The Redhounds fell behind by 11 points in the first half and had to play catch up. Trailing 33-22 with three minutes left in the second period, the Redhounds rallied to trail by one at the half 37-36. From that point on the game was a classic.

Sophomore Travis Smith hit crucial free throws at the end of regulation and at the end of the third quarter to save the game for the Redhounds. The most crucial might have been in the third overtime when he went to the line with 3.2 seconds left and connected

The first of two bounced around before dropping through the net. “I just said thank you Lord,” said Smith. His second was nothing but net.

If Smith was the hero, senior Isaac Wilson was the “Star” of the game, scoring 43 points on 13-of-21, including five 3-pointers.

Check out Wednesday’s News Journal for more details and comments from Smith, Wilson and Corbin Coach Tony Pietrowski.

Corbin 88, Bell County 80 (4 OT)

Bell Co.                16  21    9  11  4  9  7    3- 80

Corbin  13  23  11  10  4  9  7  11- 88

   Bell Co. (80) – Madon 22, Robbins 22, Lee 13, Hilton 3, Lowe 4, Raines 2, Lefevers 7, Patterson 7.

   Corbin (88) – Wilson 43, Johnson 5, Taylor 5, Smith 16, Manns 5, Freeman 9, Jones 5, Stewart 2.