by Perry Lewter

A missed 3-point attempt at the buzzer ensured the East Limestone Indians of a 65-64 win over the Ardmore Tigers in the opening game of the Area 14 4A Tournament at Madison County High School last Friday. With the win the Indians advanced to the championship game Monday opposite Madison County, a 58-44 winner over Columbia. The loss ended the Tigers’ season.

Ardmore led after the first two quarter stops, 13-9 and 23-21. They were outscored 20-14 in the third. Mario Matthews scored seven of his game high 26 points. In that quarter the Tigers led 29-28, when the Indians scored seven unanswered points including a 3-pointer from Sam Chaney who did not dress against the Tigers in their three previous meetings against the Tigers. The Tigers pulled within four by quarter’s end on a 2-pointer from Duron Robinson.

Personal fouls proved a factor in the final stanza when Robinson had to exit the game at the 1:47 mark and Will Lewis with 6.0 showing on the clock.

The Indians had a 61-53 advantage at the 1:54 mark in the fourth when Matthews hit a 2-pointer. Lewis and Stagner each hit a 2-pointer and Feraas Al-Saba two free throws before the Indians could score again. Jared Laxson hit a pair of free throws for East to push their lead to 63-59. Lewis hit a free throw for the Tigers just before Colin Carter, who played on the junior team all season, hit a free for East.

Despite being fouled onto the floor, Ardmore’s Matthew Clem sinks a three-pointer during the final game of his high school basketball career against East Limestone in the Area Tournament at Madison County Friday, February 9th. Scoring 25 points in this game alone, Clem reached a career high points tally of 1,020. (photo by Patti Stagner)