Sterling Performance From Davaris McGowens Not Enough for Eagles

A performance for the ages by two-time AAA Player of the Year Davaris McGowens was not enough to bring Eastside High School its first boys basketball championship on Saturday night. McGowens' Eagles lost to Hartsville 65-62 in overtime.

McGowens dazzled the large crowd at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia with 28 points and 19 rebounds. He went 10 of 15 from the field, but did not get much help from his teammates, who collectively went 13 for 49 from the field (27 percent). Keil Sherman added 16 for Eastside, but he struggled for most of the night, going 4-14 from behind the three-point arc.

The game began at a frenetic pace with Eastside's power game matching Hartsville's quickness. After one, the score was tied at 14.

But Eastside's cold-shooting continued and Hartsville's Devonte Washington asserted himself on the inside and with a series of blocked shots to put the Red Foxes in front 31-24 at the half. A combined 25 turnovers between the two teams reflected the intense but sloppy play.

Eagles Coach Tom Chamness switched to a 1-3-1 zone trap to start the second half and it paid immediate dividends. Later, he mixed in a 2-2-1 full court press.

"I wanted to give them some different looks and get to their shooters out of rhythm," Chamness said after the game.

Eastside's Sherman was able to knock in back-to-back three-pointers midway through the third quarter and Eastside eventually drew even at 42 at the end of three quarters.

As it did in the first quarter, in the fourth Eastside pounded the ball inside and inched ahead 47-45 after another Sherman three. A free throw put the Eagles up 48-45 with four minutes to play. That's when Hartsville star guard Jaylen Shaw stepped up.

The Division I recruit, who averaged more than 23 points a game this year, hit a pair of three-pointers, one of which came with McGowens draped all over him.

With less than a minute to play Hartsville led 57-54 and appeared to be trying to draw Eastside out of its zone. The Eagles had only four team fouls, so they could not stop the clock by putting the Red Foxes on the foul line. Eastside turned up the pressure and were able to gain possession off a steal.

In transition, Luke Jones got free for a lay-up and was fouled. His free throw tied it at 57 with 46 seconds remaining.

Hartsville held the ball for the final shot but turned it over with five seconds left, giving Eastside a chance to win in regulation. However, the Eagles could not get a shot off and the game went to overtime.

A pair of baskets by McGowens gave Eastside a 61-60 lead with 1:30 to play. After his second basket, McGowens appeared to cramp up and had to leave the game.

Hartsville's Shaw took advantage of McGowens' absence with an assist on an alley-oop and a pair of free throws of his own to put the Red Foxes ahead 64-61 with less than a minute left on the clock.

McGowens checked back in and set a screen for Sherman, who tried to get off a game-tying three. Sherman's shot was partially blocked and by the time McGowens scooped up the loose ball and was fouled there were only five seconds left. McGowens made the first to make it 64-62. When he intentionally missed the second and tried to get his own rebound he was called for a violation.

Eastside was forced to foul and a Hartsville foul shot made it 65-62. A desperation heave by McGowens from 85 feet banged harmlessly off the backboard and the Red Foxes erupted in celebration of their second straight state championship.

"Davaris is far and away the best player I've ever coached," a dejected Chamness said after the game. "The type of effort he put forth tonight is what we've come to expect. We're going to miss him."