It was a postseason moment that will give confidence to a sophomore for years to come.
Gentry High School’s Draven Walker answered the call within the final two and a half seconds of Monday night’s Region 2-5A Tournament basketball game.
Playing at tournament host Canton High School, the sixth-seeded Rams found themselves down by two points in those final seconds against the third-seeded Wolves of Cleveland Central High School.
Fouled on a three-point shot attempt, Walker stepped to the free-throw line and, with an impressive clutch performance, sent three consecutive game-winning shots through the basket.
It was a banner night for Walker, who would end the game by scoring 30 points against the Wolves.
As a result of Gentry High’s 52-51 upset victory over Cleveland Central High, the 6-19 Rams have also now earned a berth in next week’s first round of the State 5A Playoff Championships.
Most immediately, however, Monday night’s victory took the Gentry squad back to Canton High School Thursday night for their second game of the regional tournament.
The Rams’ opponent that night was second-seeded Holmes County Central High School of Lexington.
Results of that game were unavailable at press time.
Should the Rams have prevailed in Thursday’s game, they will return to Canton today for an 8:30 p.m. championship game.
A loss Thursday night will earn the Rams a berth in today’s 5:30 p.m. consolation game.
The State 5A Playoffs will then begin for the Rams next Friday against an opponent from Region1-5A.
That region is being hotly contested and Clarksdale High, Pontotoc High, New Hope High, Corinth High are the early favorites to move on from its regional tournament.
Additional teams in that region include Lafayette County High of Oxford and West Point High School.
In the Rams’ recent huge victory over Cleveland Central High, in addition to Walker’s huge 30-point scoring binge, the Rams received 11 points from Kingsley Faint.
In other action this past week, the Rams ended their regular season schedule with another thrilling victory last Friday night.
Earning a 60-58 home-court victory over Greenville High, the Rams received a game-winning layup from Kylan Appleberry to seal the game.
Appleberry would also match his nine points scored with nine rebounds.
It was Walker, however, who would again lead the scoring for the Rams. The senior posted 21 points on the scoreboard against the Hornets’ defensive efforts.
