Friday sports: Nelson, Patriots stop Oxford in overtime

January 13, 2024January 13, 2024 Bob Bakken

Photo: Lewisburg guard Josiah Nelson works against an Oxford defender in first half action of Friday’s overtime victory for the Patriots. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

Basketball fans inside Coach Tip Memorial Gymnasium at Lewisburg High School got to see a little extra hoop action Friday night, but at the end, the Patriots were able to hold on to pin the Oxford Chargers with a 56-54 overtime victory.

It made for an even more memorable night in “The Burg,” a Region 1-7A victory for the Patriots after the Lady Patriots girls posted a 44-30 win over their Oxford rivals in the opening tilt of the doubleheader.

LEWISBURG BOYS 56, OXFORD 54 (OVERTIME)

The Patriots had to rally twice to pick up the victory over Oxford, which led the game 40-31 going into the final quarter. Lewisburg’s first rally got them within 44-38 with less than three minutes remaining and then a big three-point shot by Josiah Nelson put the Patriots within 44-43 late in the quarter.

The big play, however came with 3.2 seconds left in regulation at 49-47 for Oxford, when a close in shot from Amarion Davis was swatted away, resulting in a goaltending call and a tie game at 49-49 at the end of regulation.

“Our endurance really helped (in the comeback win),” Lewisburg coach Zach Jorgenson said. “We’ve worked really hard developing our bodies in the off season. We just outpaced them a little bit and made a couple more plays.”

The Chargers took control again in the extra session, leading 53-51 with two minutes left in overtime. But then Nelson drilled another long-range three for a one-point lead and later hit one of two free throws for a 55-53 advantage with 22 seconds remaining. When D.J. Davis of Oxford was fouled in the final seconds, he had a chance to tie the game at the foul line. However, after missing the first free throw, Davis tried to miss the second one for a rebound, but the ball went in the basket. Nelson would get the ball on the inbounds play and he was fouled.

Nelson could have put the game out of reach, but he missed one of two free throw tries. Oxford’s last-second desperate try failed and the Patriots came away with the victory.

Nelson led the Patriots in scoring with 19 points, followed by Noah Jorgenson with 12 and Amarion Davis with 11. Kobe Jones paced Oxford with 18 points, followed by Adam Tyson with 16.

It was another come-from-behind win for Jorgenson’s Patriot basketball team.

“We’ve been down at halftime I don’t know how many times this year,” Jorgenson said. “We never freak out, we never lose focus and we never lose faith. My guys just battle, they battle all of the time.”

LEWISBURG GIRLS 44, OXFORD 30

The Lady Patriots improved to 6-0 in Region 1-7A play with the 14-point victory, led by Allie Carroll’s 13 points plus another 10 points from Allison Irby.

Lewisburg led the game 9-8 after one quarter, but Oxford tied the game at 12-12 with two minutes left before halftime. However, the Lady Patriots went on a nine-point run to end the half ahead by a score of 21-12. The nine-point lead held through the third quarter into the fourth, as Lewisburg led 34-25 with 5:49 remaining. Another point spurt would put the game away for the 44-30 final score.

“I think our defense really pulled through and we hit some big shots when we needed it,” said Lewisburg coach Kristen Coleman. “It was a big team win in the district for us.”

Zoe Metcalf led Oxford in scoring with 13 points, followed by Camaria Frierson with 12.

NELSON BECOMES PATRIOT CAREER ASSIST LEADER

It was Winterfest night at Lewisburg Friday, but before the Queen and court were introduced, Josiah Nelson was recognized on the floor as the school’s new career assist leader.

A senior guard, Nelson achieved the record recently against Southaven and was honored at halftime with a plaque given to him by the previous record holder, Logan Coker. Nelson now has at least 350 career assists and will certainly add to that number before his Lewisburg playing days are done.

“He’s just so mature and he has a really good crew around him,” Jorgenson said. “That’s a great award to get. It’s a team award but Josiah has put in the work and has earned every single bit of that award.”