Lancer boys seal Division 4 win over host Pioneers at foul line

When it’s backed by solid play, confidence can be a decisive factor on the basketball court.

Amherst guard Justin Thomas was the anchor of his team’s offense throughout its 61-54 win over host Heritage in the Seminole District, Division 4 final on Wednesday, but his fortitude in the last two minutes of play proved to be the difference.

"I knew I had to be aggressive throughout the game," Thomas said. "I knew I had to stay focused no matter what."

Thomas and junior guard A.J. Richerson combined for 13 points in the final 2:10 and Amherst avoided defeat by quelling a comeback by Heritage to advance to the district finals on Friday against Rustburg.

The Pioneers (14-10, 9-5) erased a 17-point deficit in the third quarter and forced a tie when junior guard Malik Tyree (six points, four assists, three steals) assisted Damontez Hamlette (seven points) on a 3-pointer. But the Lancers stayed cool, as Thomas and Richerson took over.

Richerson hit two free throws and, when Amherst regained possession, he hit Thomas with a pass that slipped by two Heritage defenders in transition. Thomas converted for the only Amherst field goal in the last two minutes of action.

But the Lancers (21-3, 12-1) wouldn’t need any shots from the field. All of Richerson’s seven points in the last two minutes came from the free throw line and Thomas added four more from the stripe. Nearly half of Amherst’s points came from the line, as it shot 77 percent on the night.

"We like to put it in the hands of the ones that can shoot it," Amherst coach Eddie Carter said. "Four of our starters shot 74 percent [from the line] or better. That’s just their routine. That’s sealed the deal in a whole lot of ballgames for us this year. You’ve got to hit foul shots to win close games."

Heritage struggled on the offensive end early and committed seven turnovers in the first three minutes. Thomas was a one-man wrecking crew for the Lancers, scoring 12 points in the first quarter. Tyree hit the Pioneers’ only bucket in the first, which broke up a 7-0 run by the Lancers, who then went on to score 12 unanswered points.

But Heritage clawed its way back, thanks to its transition play and intensity in its full-court press.

Justen Joyner (18 points, 10 rebounds) caught an outlet pass from Jeremy Hill for an uncontested layup, and when the Pioneers forced a turnover, Hill assisted Joyner again on a fast break, bringing Heritage to within six. Joyner tied the game for the first time with two free throws at the 2:29 mark in the third quarter.

"That was real big," Tyree said. "We just had to go at them and play hard. But we just didn’t come away with the win."

Carter wasn’t surprised when the Pioneers made a 12-2 run against his team in the third quarter.

"All of a sudden, we had a war on our hands, which we expected from the beginning because they’re a great basketball team," he said.

Heritage took the lead several times throughout the fourth, but Amherst relied on Thomas, Richerson or junior guard Ashton Brown to constantly answer back.

"We started the second half running energy at the defensive end," Heritage coach Dan Stephens said. "We got into a press and got some steals and some transition baskets. Momentum is a powerful thing and our kids really worked to swing that around. But I guess we just ran out of gas. We just have to get to the point where we don’t give people a half before we get into that mode."

Stephens said that the composed play of Amherst’s experienced guards made all the difference for them.

"That was the difference down the stretch," Stephens said. "They were able to withstand our run."

Carter didn’t downplay the importance of Amherst’s initial opening, a run which proved critical in showing that they could remain in control down the stretch.

"We had the greatest start that you could ever have," he said. "The first quarter was as good of basketball as we’ve played."

Amherst will face Rustburg at 7:30 on Friday in the Seminole District championship at Heritage.