[Laurel, MS] On a very emotional night, the Laurel Knighthawks defeated the Jackson Victors in a thriller. This game was the Knighthawks’ last home game of the season. It was also possibly Coach Cliff Jenkins’ last game to coach at Salem “the Nest” Heights. You could say that Thursday night was the beginning of the end of an era for Laurel.
The first quarter was all Knighthawks, with the score at the end of the quarter being 6-18. Kai Welch was the biggest performer for Laurel, draining in 11 points. Although Laurel ruled the first quarter, Jackson dominated the second, outpacing Laurel 29-13. The score at the half was 35-31 with the Victors on top.
The game soon became interesting, with both teams holding their own in the third frame. The score at the end of the period was 44-48, Knighthawks . The fourth quarter was almost a direct repeat of the first game of the season series. The action on the court seemed to speed up to a lightning pace.
With a minute and eight seconds remaining in the game, Laurel trailed the Victors 55-52. Laurel’s point guard, Eli Carter, hit a turnaround jump shot in the paint to make the game a one point deficit at 55-54. Victor Nash Spicer then put his finger print on the game, nailing a deep three with thirty two seconds left in the game. Silas Ensign, Laurel’s outside shooter, hit a catch and shoot three to make the score 58-57 with twenty seven seconds remaining. After Caleb Jenkins fouled out of the game, Jackson took its first bonus free throw… and missed! Silas Ensign brought down the rebound, and pushed the ball up the court. He found a wide open Jacob Moree in the corner. Moree had yet to hit a three in the game, but his confidence in his abilities seemed unshaken as he stepped right into the shot. With just twelve seconds remaining, the ball found the bottom of the net, putting Laurel up 58-60. Jackson’s Coach Crosby called for a timeout to let his guys gain their composure.
Spicer then took the inbound pass, dribbled the ball to the hoop and started to go up, but Kai Welch blocked it. With six seconds remaining, Jackson inbounded the ball under their own basket. However, Eli Carter stole the ball, and threw the ball ahead to Sam Sherwin who was fouled while shooting a layup. There was only one second left on the clock. Sherwin hit the first free throw, then missed the second. Time then ran out with Laurel ahead 58-61.
Kai Welch lead the Knighthawks in scoring with 19. He achieved this while battling what is hopefully a minor injury. Silas Ensign also dropped an impressive 17, trailed by Moree with 13.
Laurel will head down to Louisiana to play the PCA Paladins on Saturday. Tip off is at 5:00 P.M. This game will be this year’s Knighthawk senior group’s last regular season game, it will also be Coach Cliff Jenkins’ last game to coach in the regular season.
