Although usually content to play a supporting role, senior forward Shawn Smith sensed his team might need a more pronounced contribution in the final seconds of Westinghouse’s 64-63 sectional semifinal victory over Marshall at Gordon Tech on Wednesday night.
The Warriors trailed 63-61 and during a timeout had designs on tying the game by pushing the ball down low to center DeAndre Thomas, who experienced little trouble in the paint with a game-high 29 points.
The ball did make it to Thomas, but he kicked it back out to Smith, who drilled a three-pointer from the left wing with 13 seconds remaining to vault No. 3 Westinghouse (28-3) into Friday night’s sectional final against Farragut.
“I told (teammate) Kenny Caston in the huddle that if I got the ball, I would nail the big shot,” said Smith of his game winner. “I take pride in being the emotional leader on this team.”
Smith’s basket capped a 13-4 Westinghouse run as the Warriors overcame a 59-51 deficit with four minutes remaining.
Sophomore guard Patrick Beverly’s free throw gave Marshall (19-10) a 61-57 lead with 1:47 left, but Johnnie Collier made the first two of three from the line to cut the advantage to 61-59.
A Jerwin Callaway free throw 20 seconds later upped the lead to 62-59, but Andrew Ready’s running jumper drew the Warriors to 62-61 with a minute remaining. Beverly (team-high 17 points) made the second of two free throws with 26 seconds left for a 63-61 edge, setting the stage for Smith’s heroics.
