Pace Buzzer-Beater Takes Down Comets

With time running out, senior Nick Pace drove to the basket, slicing between two defenders, and sending the basketball through the net as the buzzer sounded to give Cranford a thrilling 56-54 victory over Hillside Tuesday afternoon at Martin Gymnasium.

"We wanted to get a mismatch with Will (Green) one-on-one," said Pace. "So we did a screen to the other side for him to come across and I was going to dish it down low, but I knew when I drove to the basket I had an opening, and finished it."

"It was something we just put in yesterday," said Huber. "It was a little isolation play. Fortunately we went a little bit early so we had the play but we weren't set up. Pace is going to go by anybody we feel. He got by there and converted."

The victory stretches the Cougars' winning streak to six straight, while improving their overall record to 8-3. But most importantly, coach Ryan Huber's team remains unbeaten in the conference at 7-0, halfway through the schedule.

"We got down early, we battled back and at the end of the game, we made some big plays," said Huber. "We made some foul shots when we had to. We made a couple of defensive stops when we had to."

Pace finished with seven points, all coming in the fourth quarter, going 3-for-3 from the field which included a key three-pointer. He also had three assists and two steals.

"It was exciting," said Green. "You always love these types of games. Nick made a big play and got it done."

Sophomore Chris Gross led all scorers with 21 points, showing his defensive prowess as well with four steals. Gross has been averaging 18 points per game since the winning streak began.

"He had a quiet 21 for me,"said Huber. "I thought there were times he could have scored a little bit more, probably could have had 30, but I'll take 21 and a win."

Seniors Kendall Grier and Will Green chipped in with 10 points apiece, with Green hitting 4-of-6 from the field while pulling down seven rebounds. Junior Sean Trotter had three points, but more importantly was credited with six steals against a quick and athletic Hillside team which fell to 6-8 on the season.

Cranford, which moved up to No. 6 in the county rankings this week, trailed 18-13 after one, 29-22 at halftime and 39-35 after three quarters.

"Today wasn't one of our better games but we pulled out a win," said Green. "We came out flat, but we stepped up at the end of the game. We had to take care of the ball because we had eight turnovers in the first half and we can't win games like that. It was going back and forth, so you have to do what you can to win."

"We need to play 32 minutes," said Huber. "We're a little too happy I think. We're 8-3 now, this win qualified us for a state tournament berth, but we gotta continue to get better. 1970 is the last conference championship we have. Forty years is long enough for us to go without one."

Cranford will return to their home court Friday night to host Rahway, who they beat 63-50 earlier in the season. Game time is set for 7 p.m.