Celeste--Celeste added another trophy to its growing exhibit here Thursday night by coming from behind in the final minutes to capture a second straight playoff game over Boles Home, 50 - 49.
It was the second game of a best two of three playoff for the District 43 - B championship. Celeste won the first outing last Monday 60 - 42.
Celeste, the most prolific basketball title winner in District 43 - B, copped its fourth straight crown with the narrow escape over Boles Home.
The game was not decided until the final buzzer sounded. Boles Home had the final shot in the game that could have sent the playoff into a third game had Eldred made it good.
The final minute of the game was the most tense when Celeste, trailing from midway of the fourth quarter until the last minute and a half, went ahead 50 - 49.
Boles Home brought the ball past mid court on the way to a possible one point lead with a field goal. Jerry Weatherley intercepted a pass intended for a Boles Home lad with forty seconds remaining in the game. Celeste then worked the ball in the back court to run out the clock.
Weatherley was fouled by Eldred as the Hornets worked in desperation for the basketball and a chance at a shot. Weatherley missed two free throws and Boles Home came down with the rebound.
With four seconds remaining Boles Home called time out with the ball at mid court. When the clock was started again Boles Home threw the ball into play and got it to Eldred at the circle where he attempted a jump shot. The ball rimmed off the basket and before the Hornets could get off a second shot, the game ended.
The two teams were never more than six points apart throughout the game. Boles Home led during the first quarter and Celeste took the lead in the second period. However, Boles Home got the lead at halftime 29 - 28 on Grimes' free throws.
Joe Tillerson, the All-District pivot man for Celeste, topped all scorers with twenty-four points and Lanier of Celeste had eleven points. Robert Burton topped Boles Home's scorers with seventeen points and Grimes had fourteen.
Burton fouled out in the third quarter and Ken Davis went out in the fourth for Boles Home. Celeste lost David Pruitt in the fourth quarter via the foul route.
Celeste's bi - district opponent from District 44 - B has not yet been decided. The Blue Devils will play Class A district champion Midlothian at Celeste on Tuesday at 7:30 PM in a non-district game.
Celeste...................................FG...FT...F...TP
Joe Tillerson...........................10......4...2....24
David Pruitt...............................4......0...5......8
Lloyd Lanier..............................5......1...2....11
Bud Roach................................2......3...3......7
Jerry Weatherley......................0......0...0......0
Ronnie Clinton..........................0......0...0......0
Totals........................................21....8..14....50
Boles Home
Burton.........................................8...1...5...17
Davis..........................................3...3...5.....9
Grimes.......................................5...4...4....14
Jennings....................................0...0...2.......0
Eldred........................................3...1...1...... 7
Shurbert.....................................1...0...0.......2
Sorrells.......................................0...0...1.......0
Score by Quarter
Celeste...................10...10...15.....7...50
Boles Home...........14...15...10...10...49
(Undated clipping)
Submitted by Sarah Swindell
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