Last-second layup lifts Gaffney over Granard, 50-49
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Sports Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Edward Bigby hit a layup with 17 seconds left as Gaffney Middle outlasted Granard Middle, 50-49, Saturday to win the Little Six championship.

Gaffney Middle led the entire game and held a 43-28 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Chiefs managed only three more baskets after Granard Middle switched to a halfcourt trap defense.

Granard pulled to 46-43 on a three-pointer by DeEdward Burris with a minute remaining. After a basket by Gaffney's Scott Morgan, Burris hit two free throws to slice the lead to 48-47 with 42 seconds remaining.

Bigby caught a long pass behind the Granard Middle defense and scored the game-winner on the next possession. After Gaffney's Zevonte Shands missed the front end of a one-and-one, Granard had one more chance to win the game with four seconds left.

Burris drove the ball downcourt, but was unable to hit on an acrobatic shot attempt as time expired.

Scott Morgan led Gaffney Middle with 19 points. Burris scored 13 points for Granard.

"Both teams played hard the entire game," Granard Middle coach Bobby Rodgers said. "It was one of those games where neither of the teams deserved to lose."

In the girls' championship game, Carver defeated Ewing Middle 38-30.

Carver (11-0) had an 18-16 lead at halftime. Ewing Middle (9-4) battled back to trail 35-28 after

three-pointer by Logan Davis with 4:30 remaining. Davis finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds.

Ashley Long scored on a three-point play to increase Carver's lead to 38-28 with 2:23 remaining. The rest of the game was a defensive battle.

"Our girls played their hearts out," Ewing Middle coach Cherie Winkler said. "I'm very proud of their effort."