by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
Mills Godwin coach Hunter Thompson is starting to get used to seeing his team win close games.
The Eagles’ 63-60 overtime win over Matoaca Wednesday night in the Henrico Holiday Hoops Tournament was Mills Godwin’s fifth out of six victories by four points or less.
“That’s the way we have won so far this year,” Thompson said. “Every win seems like it has been by two or three points.”
Early in the contest it didn’t look like it would be that close and the Eagles’ Kefentse Budd had a lot to do with that. Budd scored 10 of Mills Godwin’s 12 points in the first quarter by going 5 for 5 from the field. The Eagles (6-4) led 12-5 after the first quarter.
“It was fun,” Budd said. “We got off to a fast start. The guards just kept pounding the ball inside to me and Fletch [Fletcher Lumpkin].”
It was more of the same in the second quarter as Budd and Lumpkin scored five each. Matoaca (4-1) began to answer on the offensive end but couldn’t make up and ground and trailed by eight at halftime.
The Warriors began their comeback in the second half by applying pressure full court. The pressure did not allow Mills Godwin to work the ball inside causing the team to have a little trouble on the offensive end. Matoaca’s Aaron Hudgins found his stroke and scored 10 points in the third quarter to help pull the Warriors within one point after three quarters.
“They started to press us and the guards couldn’t run the offense because they were all up on them,” Budd said.
Traore Benefield gave Matoaca the lead at the start of the fourth with a basket but the Eagles countered with an 8-2 run to push their lead to 49-44. The Warriors would not quit though and responded with a 12-2 streak to lead by five with 30 seconds remaining.
Mills Godwin’s Adam Caine then scored a basket and after Matoaca’s Corey Manns missed the front end of a one-and-one, Lumpkin nailed a 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining to force overtime.
“It was really exciting when Fletcher made that clutch three,” Budd said.
In overtime the Eagles outscored the Warriors 7-4 with Budd accounting for three of the points. The 6-6 center finished the contest with a game-high 27 points.
“Being a senior he has done a nice job,” Thompson said. “He finishes around the basket much better then last year. When we get him the ball it makes it much easier for Fletcher and our guards.”
Fletcher added 16 points for Mills Godwin and Caine had nine. Matoaca’s Benefield, Hudgins, Darrell Stith and Roy Gailliard all had 10 points.
Matoaca 5 13 22 16 4 – 60
Mills Godwin 12 14 15 15 7 – 63
Matoaca (4-1): Lyons 4, Benefield 10, Coleman 5, Manns 2, Watson 10, Holloman 6, Stith 10, Reid 1, Gailliard 10, Irving 2, Watson 0. Totals: 23 11-20 60. 3-point goals: Benefield.
Mills Godwin (6-4): Caine 9, Mattioli 5, Lumpkin 16, Oley 5, Parsons 1, Budd 27, McColley 0. Totals: 23 11-20 63. 3-point goals: Oley, Lumpkin.
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