Peabody slips past Carver, 52-48, in boys basketball semifinals

LAKE CHARLES – No. 2 Peabody and No. 3 George Washington Carver went at again in another great Division II (Select) state semifinal. Carver had a 48-47 lead with 42 seconds remaining when Peabody’s Isaiah Jones stoles an inbound pass, scored a driving layup and was fouled. His three-point play proved to be the game winner in Peabody’s 52-48 victory on Thursday afternoon at The Burton Complex.

The Warhorses outscored the Rams 14-8 in the fourth quarter. Jordan Matthews went to work with a driving layup to tie the game but Carver’s Lawrence Nathan scored one of his own to put the Rams back ahead.

Peabody answered with a 7-0 run including Zaydrien Sewell’s three-pointer to give the Warhorses a 47-44 lead. Carver went back on top but could not hold on.

“It was a tough game against a good Peabody team. This team is a very young team and to make to point that we made it to, we don’t anything to hang our heads on,” Carver Head Coach Devin Andrew. “The cards didn’t fall like they fell previously. These guys are have grown as young men.”

The game was tight from beginning to end. Carver led 6-4 with a jumper by Chesney Sadler. A three-pointer by Rashad Mitchell gave Peabody a 11-8 lead. Daijon Leatherman, always strong in the paint for the Rams, scored down low to make it 11-10 to end the opening quarter.

Peabody started the second quarter on a 9-0 run. Mitchell scored a pair of baskets as the Warhorses’ lead expanded to 20-10.

Carver bounced back to end the half as Sadler knocked down a jumper and scored a driving layup. Stanley Waterhouse knocked down a pair of three-pointers including one at the buzzer, tying the game 25-25 at the break.

The teams could not separate from each other in the third quarter. Wayne Nevels’ driving layup gave Carver a 40-38 lead to end the period.

The Rams battled until the end but left disappointed.

“This just made me a better person. I able to gain leadership skills and be more communicative,” said Nathan. “That was a problem I had when I first came. I eventually grew into it and became better.”

Peabody had two players scoring in double figures. Mitchell led the Warhorses with 18 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Matthews finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.

“I knew coming into the game was going to be tough. Carver is the two-time state champs going for a three peat. I knew they would not quit. The big boy in the middle is a tough hand,” said Peabody head coach Charles Smith. “We started the game well and everything worked to perfection. Then we got lackadaisical and gave them some momentum. It’s always good to face an opponent that has beaten you. Because you have gone back to look at film and make preparations. Then you know their strengths and weaknesses. It comes down to the players. The guys are always ready to play.”

Carver had three players scoring in double figures. Leatherman led the Rams with 18 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, and two assists. Nathan finished with 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Sadler added 10 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Peabody advances to the Division II (Select) State title game against Madison Prep this Saturday at 4 p.m. at The Burton Complex.