Southern tops Downingtown West in playoffs

Southern was clinging to a one-point lead with four seconds left when Byron Jones stole Downingtown West's inbound pass and was fouled.

Jones had a chance to ice the game for the Rams, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one. The Whippets rebounded the ball but couldn't get off a desperation shot, and Southern prevailed.

With the 45-44 win last night, Southern advanced to the second round of the PIAA Class AAAA state boys' basketball tournament Wednesday.

What was it like for Jones, a bench player who didn't register a point, to come up with the Rams' biggest play?

"It was like heaven," he said.

The second half was anything but heaven for the Rams. Downingtown West rallied from a 34-27 deficit with four minutes to go in the third quarter.

"I didn't think they were going to come out here and play like they did," said Southern's Anthony Reese, who missed nearly the entire third quarter nursing a twisted ankle. "They played good."

The Rams had led from early in the second quarter, but fell behind, 37-36, when Tim Flecken (14 points) drained a three-pointer for the Whippets a minute into the fourth. The Rams failed to score on their first six possessions of the quarter, the result of five missed shots and a turnover.

"We weren't keeping the ball moving," Nasir Johnson said. "We were rushing our shots instead of taking our time."

From there, the teams traded the lead three times and were tied twice.

Deshon Minnis took charge, scoring the Rams' next three baskets. The final one gave the Rams a 44-42 lead with 1 minute, 16 seconds to play.

Though Southern led the rest of the way, the final minute didn't lack drama.

Jamir Hanner's free throw made it 45-42, but he missed the second one and Downingtown West got the rebound. Flecken was fouled and drained both free throws to pull the Whippets within 45-44 with 23 seconds left.

The Whippets fouled Antoine Reese, who missed the front end of a one-and-one. Downingtown West again rebounded and called a time-out with nine seconds left.

The ball was tipped out of bounds by a Southern player, allowing the Whippets to inbound the ball from the sideline with 4.5 seconds to go.

That's when Jones came up with his steal.

Southern 11 17 8 9 - 45

Downingtown West 11 10 11 12 - 44

S: Furnell Doster 13, Anthony Reese 8, Antoine Reese 8, Deshon Minnis 6, Haywood Henderson 5, Jamir Hanner 3, Nasir Johnson 2.

DW: Tim Flecken 14, Bryan Grashof 11, Ryan Miller 8, Bryan Milito 6, Mile Milito 5.