news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- The Metro 4-A finals featured two games with a No. 1 seed that won both games against their opponent during the regular season. The Dudley girls were able to make it a clean sweep with a 62-49 win over Page.

But in the nightcap, the second-seeded Smith boys upset the Page Pirates, 56-55.

After losing the two regular season games by a combined 20 points, the Eagles jumped out to a 12-4 advantage and held the lead until 3:29 remained in the third quarter. The game was tight the rest of the way and the crowd was at ACC noise levels for the final minute.

Smith held on to a slim advantage but was unable to extend the lead thanks to numerous turnovers down the stretch. Page opted not to foul, got the ball back several times with a chance to take the lead, but did not convert.

James Summers, who made big shots all game, missed two free throws with 7.9 seconds remaining. But Smith didn't control the ball and it was Page's ball under its basket with 6.1 seconds left down by one.

Jackson Kent, who seconds earlier had a shot go in but pop back out, was short on a jumper and the Eagles pulled down the rebound and ran out the clock.

"We're lucky he missed the free throws," Smith coach Brian Jones said. "We did everything but give it to them. It was a little bit of luck, but our guys put us in a position to win the game. The ball bounced our way a couple of times but we were able to get one last stop and get the rebound. It was just a tremendous game."

Tracy Gathings starred for Smith (17-9) with 24 points and 15 rebounds.

"He's had kind of a chip on his shoulder the past couple of days because we don't feel he gets the respect that he should," Jones said of Gathings. "He kind of carried that with him in this game and he just wanted to take the team on his back."

The Pirates (17-8) were led by Frank Eaves with 14 points.