POCAHONTAS -- The Gosnell Pirates picked up a huge win Friday night going on the road to defeat the Pocahontas Redskins, 40-39.
Rod Jones' free throw with 10 seconds left on the clock was the difference as the Pirates knocked off the second place team in the 3-4A conference.
Gosnell trailed by double digits for most of the first three quarters. Pocahontas led 18-6 after one and 32-20 at halftime thanks in part to five three pointers.
The Gosnell defense took over in the second half, holding the Redskins to just seven total points over the final 16 minutes.
"We tried to press them in the first half but that didn't work too well," said Pirate head coach Kirk Glintborg. "They were hitting their outside shots. So, we switched things up a halftime and hit some shots to get back in the game."
A big three pointer from Carlos Blackmon midway through the fourth helped the Pirates knot the game up at 39-39 with three minutes left. Pocahontas sat on the ball for two minutes before the Pirates defense forced the Redskins to shoot a three to try to take the lead with under a minute to play. The shot misfired and Rod Jones took the rebound the length of the court and was fouled on his shot with 10 seconds left. Jones split the free throws but it was enough to give the Pirates the win.
Jones led the Pirates with 11 points, Blackmon and A.J. Jones chipped in seven points apiece in the win.
Gosnell (10-12, 5-8 3-4A) heads to Trumann Tuesday night to take on the Wildcats in the 3-4A finale. A Pirate win will give Gosnell the fourth seed in the 3-4A district tournament beginning Feb. 17 at Highland.
JUNIOR HIGH
Gosnell 33, Pocahontas 25
The Gosnell junior Pirates clinched the conference championship and the number one seed in the 3-4A junior district tournament Friday night with a 33-25 win over the Pocahontas Redskins.
Gosnell trailed, 10-4, after the first period and 15-14 at halftime. They took a one point lead at 18-17 heading into the fourth.
Tramaine Anderson led the Pirates with 10 points, Tabari Herron and Brandon Partee each scored six and Cincir Evans chipped in five.
The Pirates (20-4, 11-2 3-4A) will take on Trumann at 6 p.m. Monday night in the opening round of the 3-4A junior district tournament at Brookland.
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com @CN_AaronF