Knights’ longest playoff run ends
Clear Falls’ historic season ended Saturday afternoon after falling 5348 to No. 2 Beaumont United in the Region III-6A final at the Campbell Center.
For point guard Orlando Horton Jr., it was his last game wearing a Clear Falls jersey.
“I feel like we are paving the way for all the younger kids that are coming into Falls,” Horton said.
United, which won its 34th straight game, heads to another state tournament. The Timberwolves (35-1), who won the past two Class 5A state titles, will look to win their first in Class 6A next week in San Antonio. Their opponent will be announced Sunday for Friday night’s games at the Alamodome.
Clear Falls ended the season 28-8 in its first trip to a regional championship.
“We knew how good and special they were,” Knights coach Bryan Shelton said of United.
Clear Falls might have been making its first appearance in the Region III-6A final, but the Knights weren’t intimidated by the Timberwolves.
The Knights trailed through three quarters, never holding a lead until the fourth quarter. Clear Falls took its first lead after going on an 8-0 run to go ahead 44-43 with 3:18 left.
“We just stayed in coach’s system and played defense,” said Horton, who had a game-high 23 points, including six in the fourth quarter.
United’s Trealyn Porchia made one of two free throws to tie the score at at 44 with 2:56 left.
Horton then drove to the lane through three United defenders for a layup to restore Clear Falls’ lead, prompting United to call timeout with 2:26 left.
Washington signee Westley Yates then showed why he’s one of the best players in the country by helping United close out the game on an 8-2 run. Clear Falls had three turnovers during that span.
Yates drove to the basket for a layup to give United a 47-46 lead with 1:49 left.
Yates led the Timberwolves with 22 points and Porchia added 16 points.
Clear Falls will lose seven seniors in Horton, Corey Kelly, Josh Moore, Jack Foley, Prince Hegwood, Caden Steward and Javon Murray. Moore scored 12 points, including three 3-pointers.
“It’s a blessing,” Horton said of the historic playoff run. “Not too many people can say that they can do this.”