HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Graham boys and Lebanon girls earn key SWD wins (copy)
BLUEFIELD, Va. – It was the perfect moment for Channing Disibbio.
With 10 seconds remaining in overtime and the score tied in a Southwest District showdown against the Lebanon Pioneers, the Graham junior went to the free throw line.
“It was intense,” Disibbio said. “I got a little hyper at first, but I took a moment and got the job done.”
Disibbio made the second of his attempts as the Graham G-Men recorded a 59-58 decision.
Graham defeated Lebanon three times last season by margins of 75-45, 74-51 and 66-52, but there was nothing routine about the latest victory.
Lebanon led 48-37 with 2:29 left in regulation.
What was Graham coach Todd Baker thinking?
“These guys believe they can win every game and just never quit,” Baker said. “I’m very proud of how they responded to the adversity.”
The G-Men executed the rally behind a series of clutch shots from Disibbio (21 points) and sophomore guard Ty Martin, who led all scorers with 28 points.
Disibbio forced the extra session by connecting on a driving layup with eight seconds remaining.
After Lebanon pulled back ahead 57-53 with 1:09 left in overtime, Disibbio answered with a 3-pointer at the 55-second mark.
Following a free throw from Lebanon sophomore Caiden Glass with 48 seconds remaining, Graham tied the score at 58-58 on another drive by Disibbio.
Cambel Fix stole the ensuing inbounds pass for Graham at the 17-second mark. And with yet another bold charge to the hoop, Disibbio earned his chance to seal the victory.
Disibbio scored total of eight points in overtime
“Emptions were high, and I was doing everything I could to help my team win,” Disibbio said. “I’ve been playing basketball since age six and I worked harder than I ever have this past off-season.”
Disibbio scored 30 points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer last season as the G-Men downed Wise County Central 66-62 in the Region 2D semifinals.
“I always feel comfortable when Channing has the ball,” Baker said. “He’s a pure shooter and works on his game year round.”
Lebanon was paced by 6-4 senior Michael Reece (18 points), freshman forward Ethan Horne (15) and 6-2 sophomore Layne Jessee with 11 points.
The Pioneers made just five turnovers against the famed defense from Graham over the first two quarters en route to a 22-19 halftime lead.
“We took care of the ball until the last couple minute of regulation, and then I think our youth showed a little,” Lebanon coach Scotty Boyd said. “It’s a really tough loss when you have a lead like that and feel like you are in control. “
With his court vision and size, Reece navigated the Pioneers through the full-court pressure.
“Once Michael got going tonight, he was great at finding guys with passes,” Boyd said.
Lebanon used just six players, including two freshmen and two sophomores. Horne and Jessee excelled on defense.
“I think we’re a defensive team now,” Boyd said. “Give Martin credit. He hit some tough shots down the stretch while we were turning the ball over.”
The Pioneers converted just 12 of 20 free throw attempts, with several misses in key moments.
“There were all kinds of things that could have made a difference in this game,” Boyd said. “Our guys battled their tails off. We have a really young team and we just have to learn from it.”
Lebanon (13-3, 3-1) has also lost non-district games to Patrick Henry and Floyd Central, Kentucky.
Powerful Graham junior Gage Palmer was able to hold Reece in check despite having four fouls for nearly an entire quarter.
Graham used just six players, and no seniors.
“We’re small and we haven’t had enough depth for the last three or four years, and the kids keep proving people wrong,” Baker said. “We forced some shots early tonight, but we able to create some turnovers late and make a couple plays.
“This was one heck of a game, and we probably will have more of those with Lebanon.”
Baker will return to a hospital in Radford later this month to check on the status of blood clots on his brain and neck. He continues to be totally numb on the left side of his body.
The G-Men (12-2, 5-0) top the SWD, with Lebanon (13-3, 3-1), Marion (10-7, 2-3), Richlands (9-5, 1-2), Tazewell (7-10, 1-3) and Virginia High (0-12, 0-3) next in line.
The fun run for Graham last year included the SWD regular season and Region 2D titles along with an appearance in the VHSL Class 2 title game.
The only two losses this season have come against West Virginia foes in Woodrow Wilson (Beckley) and Bluefield.
“People have been doubting because we graduated some big pieces from last season, but I always believe in us” Disibbio said. “We might be small, but we have big hearts
LEBANON (58) – Rasnake 1 0-0 3, Jessee 5 1-4 11, Glass 3 1-2 7, Reece 6 6-9 18, Horne 5 2-2 15, Hilton 1 2-3 4. Totals 22 12-20 58.
GRAHAM (59) - Mullins 0 0-0 0, Fix 1 0-0 2, Martin 10 5-6 28, Disibbio 9 1-2 21, Garrett Palmer 3 0-0 6, Gage Palmer 0 2-2 2. Totals 23 8-10 59.
Lebanon 7 15 13 14 9-58
Graham 13 6 11 19 10-59
3-point goals – Leb. 2 (Horne, Rasnake). Gra. 5 (Martin 3, Disibbio 2). Total fouls – Leb. 13, Gra. 18. Fouled out – Garrett Palmer. JV game – Graham won
GIRLS
Lebanon 54, Graham 39
The game plan worked for Lebanon coach Travis Hooker.
“We came out playing really good defense, hit shots and did everything we were supposed to do,” Hooker said.
Phase one of Hooker’s plan involved working the ball inside to senior center Lia Beck.
In addition to recording 11 points and nine rebounds, Beck was able to create foul trouble for junior post Kadance Bowman from Graham.
Bowman had reached double figures in points and rebounds for 10 straight games, but she managed six points on Friday. Bowman was tagged with her third foul in the second quarter and eventually fouled out.
“We wanted to make (Bowman) play defense,” Hooker said.
Junior forward Jaiyden Fields took care of the perimeter game for Lebanon by connecting on four 3-pointers en route to an 18-point night.
“Jaiyden has really been coming along and she played amazing tonight,” Hooker said,
Lebanon opened a 14-7 lead after the first quarter and held on from there with clever passing against the Graham press.
“We sputtered a little in the second half, but I told the girls not to sweat the small things,” Hooker said. “We did a really good job of sharing the ball.”
Sophomore Ali Beck supplied 12 points for the Pioneers.
“This win is huge, and it’s the biggest I’ve had on the varsity level,” Hooker said.
Graham was led by senior guard Sophie Scarberry with 17 points.
The game was slowed by 41 fouls. Lebanon made 18 of 30 free throws attempts, while Graham was 11 of 23
Marion (13-4, 4-1) and Lebanon (10-6, 3-1) lead the SWD standings, with Virginia High (5-7, 2-1), Graham (3-7, 2-2), Richlands (1-11, 0-2) and Tazewell (0-17, 0-3) following.
Lebanon travels to VHS on Tuesday
Graham swept the SWD regular season and tournament titles last season behind the shooting of senior Ella Dales and the power of Bowman.
LEBANON (54) – A. Beck 2 8-13 12, J. Fields 5 4-4 18, Couch 2 2-2 6, Brooks 0 1-2 1, L. Beck 4 3-9 11, Taylor 0 0-0 0, Lampkin 1 0-0 2, Mullins 0 0-0 0, K. Fields 2 0-0 4. Totals 16 18-30 54.
GRAHAM (39) – Oaks 0 0-0 0, Spurgeon 1 0-0 3, Sophie Scarberry 5 6-10 17, Kaklis 0 0-0 0, Houchins 0 0-0 0, Shae Scarberry 0 0-0 0, Dowell 3 4-9 10, West 1 1-4 3, Bowman 3 0-0 6. Totals 13 11-23 39.
Lebanon 14 12 16 12-54
Graham 7 6 13 13-39
3-point goals – Leb. 4 (Fields), Gra. 2 (Spurgeon, Scarberry). Total fouls – Leb. 18, Gra. 23 Fouled out – none. JV game – Lebanon won
agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544
