FOURTH QUARTER BLUES

JACKSONVILLE — The fourth quarter of the Class 5A Northeast Regional final was a tough one for Etowah.

The Blue Devils (19-9) were up on Center Point 39-38 with 44 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Eagles (16-14) then ended the period on a 6-0 run including a dunk by Correy Whestone just before the buzzer to put Center Point up 44-39. Momentum was solely in the Eagles’ corner and stayed there until the final horn.

Etowah was outscored 25-10 in the fourth quarter — 31-10 in the final 8:19 of the game — and lost 69-49. The Blue Devils finished one game shy of a trip to Birmingham and the state tournament for the second consecutive season.

Everything snowballed on the Blue Devils in the fourth. Etowah couldn’t buy a bucket. Chris Griffin and Devin Laster each hit a three for the lone field goals of the final eight minutes.

Center Point scored more points in the fourth quarter than Etowah had in the second half (25-20). The Eagles led by as many as 23 points.

Jamin Graham and Laster sparked Etowah early on. Laster had 15 points on 5-of-6 from three and Graham was 5-of-5 from the field for 12 points. The Blue Devils were down 31-29 at halftime.

Center Point will play Bibb County in the state semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Legacy Arena at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.

By the Numbers

27 — Laster and Graham combined for 27 of Etowah’s 29 first-half points. … 11 — Laster and Graham made 11 of the Blue Devils’ 14 made shots. Laster and Graham was 11-of-19 combined. The rest of the team was 3-of-32. … 3 — Center Point only attempted three 3-pointers and made none. Etowah was 7-of-17 from three. Laster made six while the rest of the team was 1-of-6. ... 0 — Center Point did all of its damage inside the paint or at the foul line. The Eagles scored 38 points in the paint and 21 points at the charity stripe. … 9 — The Eagles outrebounded the Blue Devils 42-33. … 21 — Center Point scored 21 points off Etowah’s 19 turnovers.

They Said It

“In warmups, I was telling them I was going to have a good one. I hoped more of them would’ve went in. It could’ve been a closer game and pull it out at the end. It is what it is. We played hard. I hope they can learn from this next year.” — Laster, who finished 6-of-11 from three with 19 points

Coachspeak

“The biggest scare for me was just keeping them off the boards. Right there down the stretch, we gave up five or six offensive boards. They were able to stretch that lead out. I don’t know if we got tired or what, but we missed some blockouts and checkouts down there. The kids played hard. I’m proud of them. We were right there. A few plays here and there. A few open shots here and there. But that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes.” — Etowah coach James Graves

Etowah Stat Sheet

Graham finished with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting along with 11 rebounds and nine turnovers. Emil Smith totaled six points, four assists and two steals. Both made the all-tournament team.

Center Point Stat Sheet

Roderick Orr, the tournament MVP, had a game-high 16 points and added six rebounds. Whestone had 14 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Chatman added 13 points and six rebounds. LeBoise Deru had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Chatman and Orr made the all-tournament team.