By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
SPRINGFIELD – South Effingham’s boys basketball team was long overdue for a dream to come true.
For more than 17 years, a lifetime for most of the current players, the Mustangs had lost every basketball game to cross-county rival Effingham County – until Saturday night.
“We heard about the streak all the time and we took it personally,” SEHS senior guard Will Harlin said. “Seventeen years, you know, is a long time.”
But the Mustangs made up for lost time with a dramatic 63-62 victory to end a streak of 34 straight losses to the Rebels dating back to Jan. 6, 2007.
Marcus Campbell’s two free throws with 13.6 seconds left provided the winning points. An ECHS layup in the final seconds left the hosts just short.
“The mentality around here lately is that we’re the little brother to Effingham, but we put in the work to not let that happen. There’s been years of losing to them in football and basketball, but we put it together today,” said South’s senior Corbin McGuire, a two-sport athlete who had never experienced a football or basketball win against the Rebels.
Coach Rico Campbell was the last person out of the winning lockerroom. He sat alone texting former Mustang basketball players with the results.
“It’s a good feeling (to send) good news,” Campbell said.
The basketball community that filled the gym took turns cheering during a first half of eight lead changes and four ties. In the second half, the tight-knit community had a momentary common bond. News spread of the University of Georgia’s 22-19 overtime win over Texas.
Then it was back to the basketball game.
Harlin’s 17 points – six during a 10-3 run – helped South (2-6) build a 57-48 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Effingham County (2-2) fought back with a 10-0 spurt to take a 58-57 advantage with 2:14 left.
In a three-minute stretch, the Mustangs missed six straight free throws.
“I knew they’d make a run. I knew it couldn’t be that easy to get out of here with a win,” Coach Campbell said.
During summer-league play, South defeated the Rebels and Campbell said the win bred confidence in a squad that went winless last season.
The Mustangs snapped a 38-game overall losing streak with a 77-73 victory over Woodville-Tompkins on Nov. 15.
“In other years, we talked about the streak. This year, we just prepared like we’d prepare for anyone else. I think that helped. We didn’t get too hyped up. That’s growth. We need to play everyone like this.”
Marcus Campbell’s baseline jumper put South back ahead 59-58 with two minutes to play. Harlin added a layup to make it 61-58 with 1:28 left.
But ECHS’ Achilles Heel – missed free throws – mounted. The Rebels made 14-of-34 from the line in the game.
The two teams combined to make 1-of-12 free-throw shots from 3:35 to 29.9 seconds left.
Elyjah Doty, who was in early foul trouble, carried the Rebels down the stretch with 12 of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Doty had ECHS’ final two baskets, but the squad needed a 3-pointer to tie during its final possession after Campbell coolly sank two free throws with 13.6 seconds to go.
“I think that’s nerves,” Rebels coach Tremaine Aaron said. “We were very clear. We had a play drawn up to get a 3-pointer. For a lot of these guys, it was nerves playing in this environment, what this meant for this community. You can tell them what a game like this is, but the thing is, experience is the teacher.
“We can breathe now. That’s the (end of the) streak. Kudos to them. No more looking back. Now we can look forward and start playing our basketball because that sure wasn’t us tonight.”
With 2.4 seconds remaining and ECHS without a timeout to stop the clock, McGuire prepared to inbound the ball but just held it and pointed to the scoreboard as the seconds and 17 years of frustration ticked away.
The Mustangs will take a one-game winning streak into their next game with the Rebels on Jan. 25 in Guyton.
“We came out and played aggressively,” Harlin said. “We wanted it badly. I’m not surprised we won.”
