Athens Drive pulls out 57-52 victory in OT against Green Hope

By: Zachary Adams

1/8/19

RALEIGH, NC — It was the Tri-6 opener for both Green Hope and Athens Drive on Tuesday night in Southwest Raleigh.

Athens Drive (10-3, 1-0) opened conference play with a 57-52 overtime victory over Green Hope (6-8, 0-1), handing the Falcons their third loss in four games.

The Falcons and Jaguars traded punches all night long. Green Hope’s PJ Fenton averages a team-high 18.2 points per game. The 6’7” senior asserted himself in the post early on, by totaling six first quarter points. Athens senior Chase Graham fired back with six first quarter points of his own, as he hit back-to-back corner threes. Green Hope held the 13-12 advantage on the road after the opening stanza.

Northern Kentucky signee DJ Robertson would come to life in the second quarter. Robertson scored seven points in the frame, going 3 of 4 from the charity stripe. The Falcons did not shoot well from downtown last night, as they only went 3 of 12 (25%). Two of those three triples came in the second quarter. Tavaras Vann and Jake Beja both sunk threes that provided the visitor’s needed momentum in this back and forth contest. Athens Drive didn’t go into the break so hot. Turnovers and defensive break downs allowed Green Hope to close the hectic quarter on a 7-2 run, taking the 29-26 lead going into intermission.

Green Hope led the opening 6:37 of the third quarter. That’s when Athens junior AJ Thompson drained a corner three to put the Jaguars out front, 33-32. After Jalen Coprew went one of two from the line to tie the game, Thompson would hit another three from the same spot to give Athens the 36-33 lead. A Tavaras Vann three point play and a PJ Fenton hook shot gave Green Hope the 38-37 lead after three quarters.

Chase Graham nailed his third three of the night to get the fourth quarter started with a bang for the Jaguars. Graham’s three gave Athens the 40-38 lead with 6:55 remaining. DJ Robertson remained in “attack mode” for the Jags. Robertson scored two straight buckets that gave Athens a 46-42 lead with 4:43 to go. Both PJ Fenton and Jalen Coprew got baskets to fall to tie the game at 46-46 with 2:37 left. Athens would call timeout with 1:23 to play. The Jaguars worked the ball around the perimeter for the remainder of the game, but could not sink a game-winner after DJ Robertson’s three ball rolled around and out at the horn.

Four minutes went up on the clock and overtime was underway. Athens Drive opened the extra session on a 7-0 run that was highlighted by the third corner three by junior AJ Thompson. Free throws would help the Jaguars ice the game. The home side went 4 of 6 from the stripe in overtime, helping them fend off Green Hope to earn the 57-52 victory.

DJ Robertson led Athens Drive with a game-high 25 points. Robertson shot 11 of 14 from the free throw line. Chase Graham and AJ Thompson each added 9 points. Both Graham and Thompson knocked down three triples. Tavaras Vann led Green Hope with 16 points. PJ Fenton was held below his season average (18.2 PPG) with a 14-point effort for the Falcons.

High School OT #9 Athens Drive will hit the road on Friday for a date with rival Cary. Green Hope will make the trek to Durham for a match-up with Riverside on Friday as well.