FINAL - Herrin beats Hawks, last second shot

December 27, 2011

In what could the best game of the year played by the Hawks, they came up one point short against the Herrin Tigers.  Gallatin County came into the game seated the 6 team and Herrin the number 2 team.  In what most thought to be a long night for Gallatin County, it was anything but that.  Gallatin County hung tough through the first half behind big man Andrew Drone and then in the second half turned in their best performance yet.   The backcourt of Hish, Aud and Cox did a tremendous job getting the ball up the court in tremendous precious from Herrin.  Patrick Lowe came up again with big points down the stretch at the line and his usually rebounding and defense. 

All night long the Tigers could not stop the big man Drone as he ended the game with 32 points and never missed a free throw going 10 for 10 at the line.   His usual presence in the paint played havoc on the Tigers trying to score in the paint.  But the night would not belong to the Hawks as they battled so hard down the line to keep the lead to the end until the Tigers finally tied it with seconds to go.  Andrew Cox got fouled with 9 seconds left, made the first shot to give the Hawks a one point lead.  He missed the second and the Tigers got the rebound raced to the other end and made a last second shot for the victory.

The Hawks will play in the morning at 10 AM against Anna Jonesboro.   The Hawks really grew up tonight and will be a force to deal with in the future.