A-J scores big win over Du Quoin
<p class="p1">Ryan Stark made a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to lead host Anna-Jonesboro in overtime to a 53-49 win over Du Quoin in conference high school boys’ basketball action Friday, Jan. 8. The game was tied 44-44 at the end of regulation play.</p><p class="p1">In overtime, with a little over a minute remaining, the Indians made a desperation 3-pointer to pull to 48-47.</p><p class="p1">The Wildcats’ Dakota Earnhart came back with a basket. Du Quoin countered that with a bucket to pull to 50-49.</p><p class="p1">A-J’s Garrett Nimmo was fouled and made one of two free throws with 18 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats a 51-49 advantage before Stark sealed the win at the free throw line.</p><p class="p1">“We had some guys step up and hit some big free throws,” A-J coach Matt Chamness said. “I thought our kids did a good job of responding.” </p><p class="p1">The Indians led 13-8 after one quarter. Hunter Garver made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to pull A-J to 23-19 at the half. </p><p class="p1">“We got in foul trouble in the first half and we didn’t shoot the ball well,” Chamness said. </p><p class="p1">Parr, Stark and Nimmo all hit crucial free throws down the stretch.</p><p class="p1">Du Quoin led 35-32 headed into the final period. </p><p class="p1">Jake Parr led the way for A-J with 17 points and 5 rebounds.</p><p class="p1">Earnhart added 15 points and 8 rebounds. Garver had 11 points and 3 rebounds. Ryan Stark had 4 points and 4 rebounds. Nimmo and Sheldon McGrath each had 3 points and 2 rebounds.</p><p class="p1">The Wildcats were 14 of 32 in shot attempts from the field, 3 of 9 from 3-point range and 16 of 25 from the free throw line.</p><p class="p1">The Indians were 9 of 17 in shot attempts from the floor, 7 of 20 from 3-point range and 10 of 16 from the charity stripe.</p><p class="p1">The Wildcats have won four consecutive games.</p><p class="p1">Chamness said that the Wildcats faced some uncertainty after losing Zach Parr for the season due to an ACL injury.</p><p class="p1">“Since then, it’s like we’re growing up and getting better each game,” he said.</p><p class="p1">A-J, 9-7 overall and 1-3 in the conference, is scheduled to play Friday at Sparta.</p>