By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News, Sports
Clinging to a one-point lead with 20 seconds left, Dillon Williams grabbed the most important offensive rebound of the game, and quickly put it back in to move the Stanhope Elmore High Mustangs ahead by 3 points. Chilton County was able to get off a 3-pointer that wasn’t close, and the Mustangs were able to knock the ball away as time expired, pulling off a 66-63 victory in their season opener and setting off one of the loudest cheers inside the SEHS gymnasium in several years.
The Mustangs started the 1st quarter of the season strong. Nick Morgan scored 8 of his 12 points, and Sami Kochi provided a spark off the bench with 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal. The Mustangs led 22-15 heading into the 2nd quarter, but the 2nd quarter belonged to the Tigers, as they pushed ahead and held a 36-32 lead at the break.
Stanhope Elmore scored 11 straight points in two minutes to start the 3rd quarter. DJ Cook scored 6 points and had 2 rebounds and 2 steals. During that time period, Cooper Wise had a steal and mid-range jumper on one possession, and a steal and 3-pointer on another possession.
The Mustangs lead grew to 60-49 in the 4th quarter when Pat Williams had an impressive steal and converted a layup and free throw after being fouled. The Tigers chipped away at the lead and hit a 3-point shot with 27 seconds to cut the lead to one point, prior to the dramatic rebound and made basket by Williams in the final seconds.
The Stanhope Elmore scoring attack was very balanced. Morgan had 12 points and 4 rebounds, Cook had 11 points along with 5 rebounds and 3 steals, Williams had 11 points and 4 steals, Josiah Scott had 8 points and 7 rebounds, and Kochi had 8 points along 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Mustangs move to 1-0 on the season. They will play at home again on Thursday night against BTW Magnet, and travel to Marbury on Friday night for their first road game.
