Fugett’s Game Winner Sends GW Back to 5A Final 4
3/3/2018
Denver, CO – The George Washington Patriots are headed back to the Final Four four of the 5A State Basketball Tournament after this shot at the buzzer from senior guard Jon’il Fugett.
Game winner for @Fugetthooper
Smoky 41
GW 42#copreps #5Agreat8 pic.twitter.com/x9PQHStZac— BasketballColorado (@Bball_CO) March 3, 2018
In the first half both teams seemed tight and struggled on offense. The Patriots struggles were due to the fact that Smoky Hill played primarily zone defense to make George Washington slow down and take them off the attack. Meanwhile. Smoky’s struggles came from being forced to take shots and not handling the ball well. Also both teams saw their shooting percentage plummet in the cavernous Coliseum.
In the second half the shooting woes and turnover plagued both teams.For Example it seemed like Smoky had built a big league of five points after they started the quarter on a 11-2 run, that took place over the course of 6 minutes of the the third quarter. It took GW 6:30 to score their first points of the quarter. Smoky Hill grabbed a six point lead after sophomore guard Quinten Rock completed a three point play. George Washington senior guard Shawn’Trell White scored seven points in the last minute of the quarter to put GW a head 31-28 at the end of the quarter. But GW went into four corners mode, which allowed Smoky to make and other 9-0 run highlighted by seven points from Kenny Foster. Putting Smoky up 37-31. Fosters bucket with 6 minutes left in the final quarter would be the last field goal of the game for the Buffaloes.
Fugett then went into attack mode scoring seven of his nine points in the final quarter including the game winner above. A shot from Mo Diallo put GW up 40 – 39 with 3:11 left in the game. Niether team could score again for the next two minutes. The drought was ended by Will Becker making one of two free throws to tie the game. Rock then added another free throw to increase Smoky’s lead to 41-40. Setting the stage for Fugetts game winner.
George Washington advances to play Rock Canyon in the Final 4 on Friday
