Terrell County boys handle Hancock Central

DAWSON — Make it three years in a row that Terrell County, going into the state playoffs as a heavy favorite, has gotten a scare in the first round.

And all three times, the Greenwave have survived to advance, including Friday in the opening round of the GHSA Class A playoffs. That’s when Region 1-A No. 1 seed Terrell County fell behind in the fourth quarter only to rally for a 59-52 win over Region 4-A No. 4 seed Hancock-Central.

The Greenwave (22-5) will play host to Greenville (20-6) in the second round of the state playoffs Tuesday at 6 p.m. Greenville was undefeated in Region 2-A play during the regular season before being upset in the region playoffs and dropping to a No. 2 seed.

After tight, three- and four-point wins the last two years in the first round, Terrell County needed every one of Alre’k Brown’s 23 points, seven rebounds and four blocks to fend off Hancock-Central (11-16) in the second half.

“They came ready to play,” Terrell head coach John Davis said of the Bulldogs. “They come from a strong region.”

No. 4 seed or not, Hancock-Central had to battle back from an 18-point first half deficit and actually led 46-45 with 7:01 to play.

“We’ve always been a one or two seed,” Bulldogs’ coach Anthony Webb said. “When I found out who we were playing, I knew it wa

The Greenwave used a 8-0 spurt in the first half, highlighted by Terel Hall’s alley-oop pass to Brown, that led to a 38-27 halftime lead. Brown’s slam left the goal trembling for several minutes, still swaying slightly as the Greenwave’s lone senior starter shot free throws on Terrell County’s ensuing possession.

“It’s our bread and butter,” Hall said of the alley-oop to Brown. “(We practice it) all day, every day.”

The third quarter belonged to Hancock, which held the Greenwave to six points in the period, cutting a huge Terrell lead to 44-40 going into the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs crashed down on Brown inside, holding him to seven second-half points after he dropped 16 in the first half.

“When they take that away, we’re going to have to rely on our outside shooters,” Davis said. “I have some juniors, when they’re on, they’re on.”

After Hancock went up in the fourth quarter on Raymont Harden’s jumper just inside the arc, Brian Browner answered with a 3-pointer before slightly spraining his ankle and leaving the game. Davis said Browner would be able to play Tuesday.

Dekoven Ware scored all eight of his points in the fourth quarter and also had three rebounds and key steal to help Terrell finish the game on a 10-2 run.

“(Coach Davis) told us to pick up our defense (after trailing late),” said Hall, who finished with seven points. “Our defense creates our points.”

Survive and advance.

That’s been Terrell’s game for three straight years in the first round. The last two years, the Greenwave have rebounded to trounce their second round opponent.

Greenville, a 77-65 winner over Metter Friday, will make doing that again this year very difficult.

“We’re still just trying to get back in the flow of playing,” said Davis, whose team has had two near week-long layoffs before the region and state playoffs. “We’ll be playing a strong Greenville team. They were upset in the region final.”