By ED BALDRIDGE
ed.baldridge@newssun.com
AVON PARK -- Even though the Red Devils fought back from a 20 point deficit, they still dropped a pre-season game 69-66 to Clewiston in overtime during the Bill Jarrett Tip-Off Tournament Thursday night.
"I thought it was a heck of a game for the pre-season, the fans sure got their money's worth," said Avon Park Assistant Coach Alvin Conner
"We had the opportunity to win it in the regulation play, but we just couldn't execute. That will come with experience and game play," Conner said.
The Devils came out strong, using their height t score the first four points of the game, but Clewiston got their offense rolling and started hitting heavy from the outside hitting 10 three-pointers before it was over.
At the half, the Devils were down 30-17, and in the first few minutes of the third period Clewiston extended their lead to 42-22 before Avon Park made the connection with Alonzo Robertson.
"We fought back and gave ourselves the chance to win. Really, when a team gets down 20, they usually fold tent, but we fought back and had the opportunity to win," Conner said.
Robertson would start hitting from the inside, and picked up 17 points in the second half alone.
For the night, Robertson would net 26 points all told for Avon Park helping o tie the score at 52-52 with just 2:42 left in regulation play.
But as the pressure mounted, the Devils seemed to hurry shots and create turnovers Clewiston's hitters needed to keep the press on and the game ended at 59-59.
"We started taking ill advised shots, and did not go back to Alonzo," Conner explained.
Overtime was a see-saw of presses and outside shooting as each team battled for that capping lead.
Robertson's targeting pushed the Devils out front several times, but with 30 seconds left, Clewiston's Ra'Vin Lee hit the three-pointer that spelled doom for the Devils.
A follow-up free throw from Tiger Demetris Allen capped the game at 68-66 Clewiston.
"The guys played hard and fought back, you can't ask anymore than that. We have a lot of weapons we can use and this was a good lesson for us. I hope we take this lesson with us in the regular season. I see some unlimited potential, but there are some things we need to fine tune, and then we will be OK," Conner concluded.
The Red Devils take a rest from play until Monday, Nov. 23 when they face McKeel Academy in Avon Park at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 22, 2009 - www.newssun.com/SUN-11-22-APBBB