Orr senior Devon King could feel the game slipping from his team’s grasp.
DePaul Prep had taken its first lead late in the third quarter, and it ignited the Rams’ home crowd at the Class 2A DePaul Prep Sectional semifinal.
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King knew he had to do something to regain the momentum for the Spartans. He sank a 3-pointer while tightly guarded on one possession, then dropped another jumper on the next possession. Orr never trailed again.
Orr defeated DePaul Prep 58-48 to advance to the sectional championship. The Spartans (19-3) will play Uplift on Friday for the sectional title.
“I felt the momentum was shifting their way, and I felt like I had to make big shots,” said King, who had 22 points. “I’m a senior, so it’s win or go home. So, I had to make big shots to lead my team to victory.”
Orr was a two-man wrecking crew against the Rams. King and sophomore Raekwon Drake combined for 45 of the Spartans’ 58 points. Drake also had 11 rebounds, four steals and one block.
“Rae is tough,” Orr coach Louis Adams said. “For all the people who talk about top sophomores in the state, I’m talking about Rae might be one of the toughest sophomores in the country. Rae is really tough.”
Orr led 37-36 after three quarters and pulled away from the Rams (15-15) with a 7-0 run to begin the fourth quarter. Orr forced DePaul Prep into 23 turnovers.
Scott Powers is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
Player of the game: Raekwon Drake, Orr, 23 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals.
Key performers: Orr — Devon King, 22 points; Byron Choice, 6 points; DePaul Prep — Craig Atkins, 15 points; Perry Cowan, 8 points; Matthew Tonkel, 8 points.