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| Crawford 73 Hoover 55 |
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Terry Tucker knows where to find the banners.
In back of the scorer's table is the last league championship award – earned in 1999. And behind the basket on another wall is the most recent section banner, from 1963.
"That's the one we want," said the Crawford High coach, pointing at the section championship flag last night after the Colts ran away in the second half for a 73-55 victory over visiting Hoover, giving Crawford the Harbor League title.
"We look up at the banners before every practice. Those are our goals."
With the win, Crawford is hoping for one of the top four seeds in the Division III playoffs when the basketball advisory committee meets this morning, citing 12 straight wins and a team that simply overpowered a strong Division II Hoover club.
Hoover (17-10, 8-2) gave the Colts (12-15, 10-0) all they could handle in the first half, working the ball inside to 6-foot-7 Jamelle Horne (19 points, 12 rebounds) and 6-8 Ryon White (17 points, 12 rebounds) to build a 34-32 lead.
But Crawford, whose record includes seven forfeit losses, successfully worked on forcing the two big men off the baseline after the break. At the same time, the Colts turned to senior Demetrius Thigpen and sophomore Tyrone Shelley.
Thigpen, who broke his hand four games into the season and only returned six games ago, kept the Colts close with 11 first-half points and then poured in eight more in the fourth quarter.
He pulled down 10 rebounds, half of which led to follow-up baskets.
"I wanted to come back strong," said Thigpen, a 6-foot-1 senior with great jumping ability. "I had to make up for the games I missed."
Tucker could hardly wait to get Thigpen back after he averaged 16.5 points through the first four games.
"He's the most athletic player in the county," said Tucker. "His quickness, his leaping ability, and he has these huge hands. He's incredible."
Shelley, who was limited to four points in the first 16 minutes, finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. His 10 points in the third quarter allowed Crawford to open a six-point lead and regain all of the momentum.
Jabary Lemmons added 15 points and 12 rebounds and Maurice Clady 10 points, including two three-pointers in the third quarter.
