All year long. Compton coach Tony Thomas knew his team had it in them. Friday night at Millikan, the Tarbabes proved that they could translate ability into results with a thrilling 75-72 overtime victory over the Rams.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Thomas said, as the win improves Compton’s league record to 3-8. “At the end of games we just can’t put it together, and we finally got it done.”
The Tarbabes scored 13 points in the four-minute overtime, and held Millikan scoreless on their last four possessions. With two seconds remaining, the Rams’ Brett Wilson had his three-point attempt blocked by Compton freshman Anthony January as time expired. The Tarbabes’ victory ended Millikan’s four-game winning streak that included impressive wins over Wilson and Poly.
“I’m just happy we finally beat a good team,” said Thomas. “It’s a big win, especially with all the distractions we’ve had.”
Earlier in the season, several players abruptly quit the team, forcing Compton to suit up just eight players. Having only three substitutes takes a toll on the Tarbabes, but Friday night they had enough energy to win a grueling game highlighted by pressure defense from both sides. In the third quarter, Millikan switched from a 2-3 zone to man defense that eliminated open shots for Compton, and the Rams seemed to be in control with a three-point lead heading into the fourth.
But Compton’s Justin Elliot hit a three, lobbed an alley-oop dunk to Cliff Sims and then scored after stealing the ball to give the Tarbabes a seven-point lead with four minutes to play in regulation. It took a furious Millikan rally – capped by one of junior Malcolm Whittington’s four three-pointers – to tie the score and send the game into overtime.
There, the Rams scored on four of their first five possessions to take a 72-70 lead, but they would not score again. Compton took advantage and a Marshawn McMahan free-throw gave them a three-point lead with six seconds left. Wilson’s shot was then blocked by January. Millikan’s Beverly took only one shot and scored just two of his 23 points in the extra period. Beverly added nine rebounds, while Alden Darby scored 13 and Whittington had 12 for the Rams. Millikan shot an impressive 10-14 from the three-point line.
Millikan’s Kierre Beverly scored 23, but tough Compton defense like this play from Cliff Sims kept him from catching fire.
Senior guard Justin Elliot led the Compton charge with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while sophomore Allan Guei added 14 and 6 boards. Junior shooting guard Cliff Sims scored 20 and pulled down 9 rebounds, while also playing tough defense on Millikan scoring machine Kierre Beverly. The three Tarbabe guards combined for 55 points on 22-32 shooting, as well as 22 rebounds.
“Elliot stepped up and played really well,” said Thomas. “We played patiently. We’re so young that it’s hard to get them to be patient.”
Of Compton’s top five scorers, Elliot was the only senior. Sims is a 6’4” junior, the freshman January scored six, and both Guei and McMahan (12 points) are sophomores. The young Tarbabes will try to ride their newfound momentum into the rest of the Moore League season with tough road games against Poly and Wilson to finish the year.
“We’re just trying to win out and hopefully get fourth place,” said Thomas, who knows that this season’s experiences – both good and bad – will pay off in the long run.
“I’m trying to get them ready for next year,” he smiles.
Compton mobs Anthony January after the freshman blocked Millikan’s potentially game-tying three.
Cliff Sims continued to find space for his high-lift jumper on his way to 20 points.
Beverly would be called for a charge on this play, but showed what he is capable of on the offensive end.