The boys for Mississippi reached the finals once again facing every possible challenge this weekend. First they fought a testy East Memphis team who refused to go away but prevailed using a 44 point performance by Thurston Williamson, the all time leading scorer in SWAAD/SWBAD history. Then they squeaked past a talented DFW-Texasboyz, 77-74, in a game that went down to the wire. Next up were the Deaf Toros of Austin.
Mississippi sought out the services of Williamson and Tilman Sims, long time Arkansas players, coupled with Alex Tyler and Rodrick Brown. Clay Courtland didn’t make the tournament for personal reasons. This team was built with one goal in mind, beat Austin. For thirty minutes Mississippi gave the fans their money worth in the championship game.
The game featured some inconsistency in officiating. Three deaf referees called that game and it was rocky from the start. Anton Jackson was whistled for two quick fouls within the first two minutes of the opening tipoff. He picked up a third foul with 12 minutes left in the first half. The Toros would lose two other starters to foul trouble, Shannon Simon and Yo Moore. Simon had a tough task guarding the much slender built Tyler and Moore had his work cut out for him keeping Williamson in check. Brown struggled to get to the basket as he had done all weekend long and relied heavily on ill advised jump shots.
Mississippi jumped out to an early lead forcing the Toros to playing at a slower pace than expected. Using a match up 3-2 zone, a box and one and occasional 2-3 defense, kept the Toros guessing what defenses were being set. Jackson did manage to give the Toros a burst in scoring before being resolved to the bench with foul woes. He opened the game scoring the Toros first 12 points. Tyler refused to be denied and kept attacking the Toros defense in transition using an array of midrange shooting. Williamson picked his spots nailing long range bombs to keep the Toros on their heels.
Seeking for a spark the Toros inserted Ty Hubbard who calmly knocked down two big three pointers before the half to cut into an 11 points lead. Hubbard was the apparent sleeper for the Toros. He rose to the occasion when it seemed nothing could go right. With Darnell Woods slumping and only managing eight points in the first half Hubbard gave the Toros a much needed shot in the arm. Mississippi took a 39-34 lead into the half.
In the second half the Toros came out smoking. Getting three consecutive fast break baskets from Jackson and Termiea Bowers the score was tied 42-42. After a timeout Mississippi again burst to a seven point lead. While down 49-42 and amid disarray, the champs sought refuge from their bench once again. This time Luendran Hubbard (no relations to Ty) provided the spark. The young point guard brought his speed and ability to make plays in the open floor as well as quick hands on the defensive end. L. Hubbard put new life into the Toros and suddenly the momentum surge had changed. Down two when he entered the game 53-51 Hubbard raced up and down the floor along with Jackson making two steals and a layup as well as three of four free throws. Coupled with his efforts and Jackson’s two layups and a three pointer by Woods, the Toros now led by 10 points at the five minute mark to complete an improbable 17 point turnaround.
Mississippi continued to scrap and gnaw at the hem of the Toros. Down the stretch Yo Moore and Ty Hubbard made big baskets to seal the victory. Jackson said “there was no sense of panic on our team. We knew we would overcome the adversity of the refs and fans against us.” With 1:29 following two free throws Woods and Jackson promptly ran out the clock once realized Mississippi had folded their tent down eight.
Jackson, despite the foul trouble led all scorers with 28 on 13-27 shooting. Woods finished with 16 on 6-16 and a horrendous 4-13 from three point range. Ty Hubbard was 5-12 but 3-6 from the three point line finishing with 15 points. Yo Moore had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds and repeatedly outworked the gangly Mississippi bunch.
Tyler was voted MVP of the tournament. He had his work cut out for him filling in as the team’s coach as well as playing major minutes for his squad. Jackson and Brown were first team all tournament while Woods finished second team all tournament also leading the tournament in assist and three pointers made.
*** Before the game, SWBAD posthumously recognized former Austin great, John Dabney. His entire family was present at the game for his Hall of Fame Induction. During the players introduction the family stood at mid court while both teams high fived every member of the family. It was an emotional moment for many who had been friends with Dabney through the years. After the game celebrations continued with the Toros taking pictures with the family and friends. Former teammates of Dabney gathered to show their respect for a friend dearly miss.
