Tornadoes rally in fourth to claim 17th Classic

December 30, 2012

(O-N-E photo by Scott Huffman)

The Hickory boys basketball team rallied for the second-straight day to add to its already impressive Catawba Valley Classic résumé.

Trailing 39-38 after the third quarter, the Red Tornadoes outscored Newton-Conover 23-11 in the final stanza to come away with their 17th Classic championship.

Zach Jarrett led Hickory (9-2) in the title-clinching victory, scoring 21 points. He was named the Catawba Valley Classic boys Most Valuable Player.

C.J. Wardrick was a big part of Hickory's comeback, scoring 19 points in Saturday's game — 12 of which came in the fourth quarter.

Tyoun Shuford guided Newton-Conover (3-7) with 14 points.

Third-place game: Fred T. Foard 66, St. Stephens 63

A 3-pointer by Jacob Schmidt with 34.6 seconds left gave the Tigers a lead they did not surrender, winning the consolation final against the Indians.

Down five points at halftime, Fred T. Foard (10-2) rallied to take a 53-43 lead at the end of the third quarter.

St. Stephens (10-2) was propelled back into the lead behind the play of senior guard Kerigan Farley, who scored 15 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter.

However, Schmidt's 3-pointer along with clutch free throw shooting down the stretch allowed the Tigers to come away with the victory and third-place finish.