Ferry's shot gives Tigers third at Carthage
By Jason Peake
Daily Mail Sports Editor
CARTHAGE -- With the game on the line, Joseph Ferry was ready.
Ferry's three-pointer with 15 seconds left proved to be the game-winner for the Nevada High School boys basketball team in a 66-62 victory over Rogers Heritage on Saturday in the third place game of the Carthage Invitational.
The Tigers trailed by one and took a timeout with 30 seconds left. After receiving the ball, Ferry passed off to a teammate. But he stayed in the corner, the ball came right back to him and he didn't hesitate, knocking down a clutch three-pointer.
"It wasn't really the plan for me to shoot it, but they went to a zone and I was open," Ferry said. "It felt good coming off my hands. It worked out pretty good for us. It's a good win."
On the ensuing possession, Heritage missed a jumper and had to foul. Nevada's Drew Bryson hit two free throws with one second left to seal the win for Nevada. But it was Ferry's trey that was huge.
"With them in a zone, we just wanted to generate a good shot," Nevada Coach John McNeley said. "We wanted to be aggressive because we were in the double bonus. For him to take that shot, that says a lot about that kid."
Things weren't looking good for the Tigers late in the fourth quarter. Heritage's Blake Woodson hit a three-pointer to give the War Eagles a 62-58 lead with just 1:55 to play.
Nevada got one free throw from Grant Wolfe, and then Ferry came up with a big steal. Nevada's Silas Smith then scored on an out of bounds play to cut Heritage's lead to 62-61 with 1:15 to go.
The War Eagles were content to run clock on the next series and the Tigers had to come out and foul.
But with 40 seconds to play, Heritage's Woodson missed the front end of a one-and-one, the Tigers grabbed the rebound and went the other way. That's when Nevada took the timeout and Ferry drained his huge three. McNeley said he was proud his team was able to pull out the close win.
"I thought we played with a lot of desire," he said. "And we fought through some tough circumstances and I think that says a lot about our kids."
The Tigers raced out to a 13-4 lead in the game, but the War Eagles clawed their way back in it. By halftime, Nevada's lead was 37-33.
An 8-0 run by Heritage in the third quarter tied the game. It would be close the rest of the way. Halfway through the fourth, Bryson connected on a key three-pointer to tie the game at 56 before the Tigers pulled it out in crunch time.
Smith, a 6-3 junior guard, led the way for the Tigers with 22 points, including four three-pointers.
A 6-4 junior, Ferry added 10 points and Bryson scored seven. In all, 11 players scored for Nevada, now 2-1 on the season.
"We've had kids really step up this week," McNeley said. "Cory Kerbs made those big free throws for us on Friday night. And Joseph hit that shot tonight. And Silas is really shooting it well."
McNeley noted his team is still learning his new system, too.
"We still have a ways to," he said. "I don't think we're in game-shape yet. It may take until after Christmas break."
Notes: The Tigers made 10 of 27 from three-point range. After being held to 18 second-half points on Friday night, Nevada scored 29 after halftime on Saturday.
Nevada is back in action tonight at Carl Junction. The varsity boys game is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Carthage Invite
Third place game
Nevada 66, Heritage 62
NE 17 20 12 17 -- 66
HE 13 20 19 10 -- 62
Nevada: Joseph Ferry 4 0-0 10, Cory Kerbs 1 0-0 2, Silas Smith 8 2-2 22, Alex Payne 1 2-2 4, Grant Wolfe 1 1-4 4, Isaiah Colopy 1 2-3 5, Chris Enriquez 1 0-0 2, Bubba Banes 2 0-0 4, Nathan Colopy 1 1-4 3, Drew Bryson 1 4-4 7, Austin Herdliska 1 0-0 3. Totals 11 (11) 11-19 66. Three-pointers: Smith 4, Ferry 2, Wolfe 1, I. Colopy 1, Bryson 1, Herdliska 1.
Heritage: Greenway 2 0-0 4, Macy 3 0-0 7, Olson 1 0-0 3, Shaw 2 1-1 5, Kinnamon 2 0-1 5, Thomas 5 0-0 10, Fyauf 4 2-5 10, Johnson 6 0-0 12, Woodson 2 1-1 6. Totals 23 (4) 4-10 62. Three-pointers: Macy, Olson, Kinnamon, Woodson.
Carthage Invitational
Monday's scores
Carthage 76, Spr. Central 32
Heritage 65, Neosho 35
Tuesday's scores
Nevada 83, Monett 75
Joplin 58, Seneca 50
Thursday's scores
Neosho 60, Central 51
Seneca 47, Monett 41
Friday's scores
Carthage 62, Heritage 54
Joplin 71, Nevada 68
Saturday's results
Seventh place
Monett 69, Central 43
Fifth place
Seneca 49, Neosho 38
Third place
Nevada 66, Rogers Heritage 62
Title game
Carthage 57, Joplin 56.