March 8, 2007 — Craig "Big Smooth" Williams staved off foul trouble and scorched the nets for 18 fourth-quarter points Wednesday evening in a 75-65 Central High School Caribs victory over the Country Day School Tigers.
His final-quarter outburst helped the Caribs turn back a feisty effort from the host Tigers in a game that was much closer than the final score would indicate. The outcome was not decided until midway through the fourth, when the Caribs proved to be just a bit deeper and were able to pull away for the road win.
“It is always tough to come here and play,” said CHS Head Coach Alvan Jarvis, adding, “Country Day always defends their floor fiercely. It is a small gym, and their players know it well. Earlier, my players took a little time to adjust, but their players were hitting from everywhere.”
The Caribs really started slow, and before they knew it the Tigers were up 12-5 with the first quarter winding down. Coach Jarvis then implemented his full-court press, which was effective immediately, allowing the Caribs to close out the quarter on a 4-0 run to draw to within three at 12-9.
The second quarter started with both teams in their full-court press defense, but the Caribs seemed more effective early in the quarter and were able to open the period on a 6-0 run to take a 15-12 lead. A three-pointer by the Tigers Brandon Biggs then knotted the game at 15. With Caribs star "Big Smooth" in foul trouble, the teams went on to exchange the lead several times before the Tigers surged to a five-point halftime lead at 28-23.
Riding the hot hand of shooting guard Rashawn Williams, the Caribs blew past the Tigers to open third quarter. Rashawn scored 12 quick points in the period to help propell his team to a nine-point lead, at 40-31, midway through the quarter. Unfortunately for the Caribs, Williams picked up his fourth foul, and the Tigers began to attack inside relentlessly, trying to get Williams out of the game.
Although they were unable to get Williams to draw his fifth foul, his defense in the middle was almost nonexistent, allowing the Tigers to score some easy baskets to close out the third quarter with a one-point lead at 46-45.
The teams slugged it out early in the fourth quarter with neither giving an inch. Multiple times the lead would change hands; but with 5:35 left in the game, fatigue began to become a major factor — more so for the Tigers.
Despite some close calls, Williams never drew his fifth and went on to post his biggest point total of any quarter, with 18 in the fourth.
With the game slowly slipping away, the Tigers started trying to stop the clock by fouling as time became their enemy. The Caribs, however, were able to hit most of their free throws down the stretch and were able to maintain a sizable lead en route to the 10-point win.
Williams, who led all scorers with a game-high 31, was ably supported by Rashawn Williams, who netted 18, and Davon Peterson, who chipped in with 10. The Tigers balanced attack was led by their superstar and arguably one of the best guards in V.I. high school basketball, Stephen O’Reilly, who had 20 points. Teammates Sharif Hodge and Kyle Davis chipped in with 11 and 10, respectively.
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