Jacob Williams seals Pacer overtime win over Carroll County, 59-50
Junior Jacob Williams was a perfect 11-for-11 from the freethrow line in the fourth quarter and in overtime — including 6-for-6 in the extra four minutes — and the Switzerland County Pacer varsity boys basketball team earned a big 59-50 win over Carroll County on Saturday night.
The victory was a hard fought, team effort, as the Pacers played without sophomore Cam Craig, who was on the bench with his right foot in a protective boot on Saturday night. No diagnosis has been made, but there is a fear that Craig could miss multiple games.
Switzerland County raced out to a quick start against Carroll County, getting baskets by Williams, Trace Johnson, and Bradley Romans to go up 6-0.
Carroll County got a three-pointer from Landon Groves to stop the run; but the Pacers got baskets from Canaan Johnson and Cooper Todd to push the lead to seven. Aden Stephenson hit a three-pointer for the Panthers, and the quarter closed with Dylan Sullivan scoring for the Pacers.
After eight minutes, Switzerland County led 12-6 — as six different Pacers connected for a basket.
Canaan Johnson scored for the Pacers as the second quarter got underway; but then Carroll County went on a run, getting a three-pointer by Aden Stephenson; a traditional three-point play by Braden Stephenson; and a basket by Cameron Butcher to tie the game at 14-14 with 4:25 to play before the half.
Sullivan scored again to break the tie for the Pacers, and Kadyn Riley hit a three-pointer to quickly put Switzerland County back up by five, 19-14.
Again the Panthers countered, getting a three-pointer by Butcher and two freethrows each from Braden Stephenson and Groves to run off seven straight points and take a 21-19 lead into the break.
Switzerland County opened the second half with a basket by Aiden Griffith and a three-pointer by Williams; but Carroll County got a freethrow from Groves and a basket by Braden Stephenson to knot the game at 24-24.
Then it was the Pacers turn to respond, with Williams and Trace Johnson making back-to-back three-pointers to go up by six — but again Carroll County wouldn’t go away quietly.
The Panthers got a basket and two freethrows by Butcher and a traditional three-point play by Groves — and just as quickly Carroll County sprang back into the lead, 31-30, with less than a minute to play.
Switzerland County had other plans, as Griffith scored in the lane as the seconds closed, and the third quarter ended with the Pacers in front, 32-31.
Williams began to take over in the fourth quarter, hitting a jumper and following that with a three-point play to move out by six.
Carroll County fought back, getting a three-pointer from Butcher and two straight baskets by Groves to take a 38-37 lead.
Trace Johnson drilled a three-pointer to take the Pacers back in front; and a pair of freethrows by Groves tied the game at 40-40 with 1:36 to play.
Trace Johnson hit another three-pointer; Braden Stephenson hit a jumper for the Panthers; Williams made two freethrows; Groves scored for Carroll County; Williams made two more freethrows — and with 13-seconds left, Switzerland County held a 47-44 advantage.
With nine seconds left Braden Stephenson made two freethrows to get the Panthers to within one; and will four seconds left Romans made a freethrow that pushed the Pacers back up by two, 48-46.
Carroll County raced downcourt, and when Braden Stephenson’s jumper found the range at the buzzer, the teams went to the overtime period tied at 48-48.
Switzerland County dominated the overtime, as Coach Travis Wrightsman’s troops got a freethrow from Canaan Johnson, two straight baskets by Aiden Griffith and two freethrows from Williams to grab a 55-48 lead with 1:29 left.
Braden Stephenson scored to try and get Carroll County on a run, but that didn’t happen, as Williams closed the door and the game with four straight freethrows to make the final score 59-50.
Williams led Switzerland County with 23 points; and Trace Johnson was also in double figures, finishing with 11.
Griffith had eight; Canaan Johnson finished with five; and Sullivan contributed four.
Romans and Riley each had three; and Todd chipped in two.
Carroll County was led by Groves with 17 and Braden Stephenson had 15.
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Because Carroll County does not have enough players to field a junior varsity team; the Switzerland County jayvee team played Jeffersonville’s junior varsity on Saturday prior to the varsity game.
The Red Devils won by a final score of 48-31.
Mason Peelman led the Pacers with nine points in the game; while Briar Johnson had eight.
Carson Griffith had six points; Landen Rider had four points; Cale Collier finished with two points and Kadyn Riley also had two points.