SOUTHEAST 3A REGIONAL: Burney too much for Pike Road in overtime battle

By GRAHAM DUNN

Robb McGaughey and the Pike Road Patriots were well aware of the exploits of Andrew Burney, the 6-foot-8 center for the Pike County Bulldogs.

Stop him and the Patriots chances of advancing to the Class 3A Southeast regional final would increase exponentially.

But that was more than could be expected in what turned into a seesaw battle that went into overtime before Pike County pulled away for a 77-73 win and advance to the regional championship on Wednesday.

“We thought we had them there at the end but we had some turnovers and they made some big shots late,” McGaughey said. “I know we had some inbounds plays that we’ve done well on all year but we had some turnovers. We didn’t do anything in the overtime to get them to turn it over.”

The Patriots (21-6) trailed by as many as seven points in regulation but fought back to take the lead with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, thanks mostly to forced turnovers. Pike County had 29 for the game  in which the Patriots earned 29 points.

But the Patriots suffered a couple of key turnovers late in the game and allowed Pike County to retake the lead with a minute left in regulation.

Blake Durham gave the Patriots the lead 30 seconds later but a free throw by Jordan Hobdy tied the game that would eventually send it to overtime.

Pike County never trailed in the extra frame and led by as many as eight points. Pike Road got to within three points but with just 15 seconds remaining.

Burney, considered one of the top prospects in the Wiregrass area, finished with 28 points, 21 rebounds and seven blocked shots. He was 12-of-16 from the field.

“He’s a monster,” McGaughey said. “We tried to keep him off the boards but he made shots and played really hard. I have to give him a lot of credit. He’s one of the better players we’ve faced all year.”

Pike Road’s Tre Wallace had a night for himself, finishing with 33 points and seven rebounds but it wasn’t enough.

“We played well enough to win,” McGaughey said. “I’m proud of my team, players, my coaches. It stings and will hurt for  while but we have to learn from it and move on.”

Pike County (21-6) will face Dadeville in the regional final.