Cosby boys bounce into final

A close contest between first-ranked Cosby and fourth-ranked L.C. Bird in Thursday night’s Dominion District Tournament semifinal sent both teams scrambling for a last-minute basket in a 54-51 Cosby win.

Playing a clean game ended up hurting the Skyhawks in the final minute. The team committed just three fouls in the third period and had four to give before putting the Titans in the bonus as time waned. Down by three with a minute on the clock, L.C. Bird was forced to foul but had no opportunities to get the ball back since fouling resulted in Cosby inbounds plays.

The Skyhawks finally entered the bonus with 20 seconds remaining and Branden Williams pulled down a big defensive rebound on the one-and-one miss.

Cosby held the Skyhawks to just one shot attempt as Matt Gorski pulled down a rebound on the Titans defensive end.

David Robinson grabbed an offensive board on another one-and-one attempt for the Titans and sank both ends of his bonus free throws which gave Cosby the most comfortable lead they’d had all night with eight seconds left.

After committing just three fouls all night, Cosby players gave L.C. Bird three in-bounding opportunities in the final eight seconds, which got the Skyhawks close enough for Lionel Williams to sink a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final tally.

Robinson hit the shot that put the Titans up for good.

With 3:50 left, he nailed a 3-pointer from the top left side of the key to give Cosby a 50-47 edge.

Cosby slowed play on their offensive end, but Tyrek Branch stole a pass around the perimeter and took it coast-to-coast to cut the Titan lead to one.

Cosby freshman guard Nick Coppola answered with a jumper of his own to set up the last-minute, L.C. Bird fouling situation.

The Titans got extra boost from their post players all night. Matt Gorski, Cosby’s 6-11 center, finished with 27 points. Robinson ended with 14.

For the Skyhawks, Williams led the way with 18.

The Titans will take on Monacan in tonight’s Dominion District Tournament final. The Chiefs were 62-58 winners over Huguenot in the other semifinal game.