Brennan Oates nearly went Monday from hobbled to hero.
The Polk County Middle eighth grader missed most of the second half of Monday’s matchup with Apple Valley Middle after landing hard on his head during a play. Oates stayed on the court for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room by an EMT stationed at the game.
His Wolverine teammates, meanwhile, battled back from a six-point deficit in the final quarter, tying the score with a minute left on a Hollis Williams 3-pointer. The Knights, though, scored on a Colin Combs putback with 15 seconds left, retaking the lead.
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Polk Middle called timeout with seconds left. Oates emerged from the locker room and, when play resumed, stepped onto the floor to handle the inbounds pass.
That toss went to Williams, who drew double coverage as he drove down the left side of the court. He flipped the ball back to Oates, who found open space at the top of the key and launched a 3-pointer.
The shot hit the rim, rolled around – and fell away, leaving Polk Middle THAT CLOSE to a win but instead settling for a 30-28 setback to the Knights.
The Wolverines’ late rally mirrored the tale of the tussle, Apple Valley (2-1) leading nearly the entire way while Polk Middle (2-2) constantly battled to keep the game cloe.
The Knights grabbed a 12-4 lead in the first quarter, but RJ Simpson scored five points in a 16-second span in the final minute to slice the deficit to 12-9.
Apple Valley stretched the advantage to six early in the second quarter, but Polk again fought back, with Carter Wood hitting a 3-pointer to help the Wolverines pull within 18-16 at the half.
Polk tied the score early in the third period on an Oates basket, but Apple Valley’s defense kept points at a premium for Polk, allowing the Knights to inch away and take a 28-22 lead midway through the final quarter.
Back came the Wolverines. Williams hit a free throw and Harley Early scored on a rebound before Williams, leading a fast break, calmly stopped at the 3-point line and swished home the tying basket with 56 seconds remaining.
Combs’ bucket, though, would give Apple Valley the win.
Williams had 12 points to lead Polk Middle, with Simpson scoring six. Wood had three points, with Oates, Jackson Blotner and Early each adding two.
The Wolverines remain at home on Thursday, welcoming Brevard Middle.
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