By Chris Stevens, Editor
A lost senior season for Sanford senior Chris Stanford may have been found Saturday afternoon at Tower Hill.
Stanford, a 6’6 center, has missed much of the regular season to date with illness, but returned to the Warrior lineup in recent games. Saturday was his best comeback outing, scoring team-high 12 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 2.1 seconds to go as the Warriors shocked the Hillers 50-47 in opening a two-game lead in the Independent Conference.
“Chris is a kid we had to get back in the lineup,” Sanford head coach Ty Perry said. “He’s missed most of his senior season, but he came back, stepped up big for us and what a moment for him to hit that shot.”
“That shot felt great,” Stanford said. “My guy Dayon Polk got me the ball. He knew I was going to be open and trusted me to hit that shot.”
“That was great for Chris and us,” said Polk. “We were all happy to see him make that shot.”
There was plenty of drama leading up to Stanford’s clutch bucket. The Hillers (13-4, 7-2 DISC) led 30-21 at halftime thanks to 13 points from Dylan Shepherd and 11 from Dean Shepherd. The Warriors rallied with a 7-0 run at the start of the third to pull within a point, then forced a 38-all tie heading to the fourth.
The 4th quarter was give and take all the way up to the final 46 seconds. Polk knocked down a three from the top of the key to give Sanford (12-4, 6-0 DISC) a 47-45 lead with 25 seconds left. Dylan Shepherd (the game’s high scorer with 17 points) countered with a baseline leaner to tie it at 47. Polk drove between two Hiller defenders and the resulting help defense left Stanford wide open for the go-ahead shot. Tower Hill set up an out of bounds play but Stanford and Sean Forrest knocked the ball away to preserve the win.
“These kids trust each other and play for each other,” Perry said. “Our coaches have us well-prepared and we’re playing our best at the right time. Hopefully it continues.”
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