Erick Nelson and Floyd Ray Jr. combined for 15 points in overtime to lead Net Zero to an 80-77 win over The Franchise in a San Quentin Intramural Basketball League game. Nelson scored eight of his total 47 points and Ray Jr. hit for seven of 12 in the extra period.
“It was a team accomplishment,” Nelson humbly said after the game.
“He really scored 49 and broke the league record of 41 that was held by Sweet Pea,” said Net Zero coach Aaron “The Jeddii” Taylor. The scorekeepers only had Nelson for 47, but several observers claimed they failed to record a basket.
Orlando Harris remembers Paul “Sweet Pea” Davidson scored 41 points in 2013 with his team, The Battleship. Daniel Wright said he and Sweet Pea have had 50-point games.
In overtime, Nelson started hot, hitting a three-pointer. The Franchise’s Harry “ATL” Smith countered with an answering three. On the next play, Franchise Marcus “Lunch Pail” Cosby hit a basket for a temporary lead that Ray Jr. erased with a hook shot.
Then Nelson dribbled past defenders to make a shovel layup. After Cosby assisted Donte “Cornbread” Smith on an inside bucket, Nelson dribbled past H. Smith for another layup, leaving the score 75-73. The Franchise answered, but failed to stop Ray Jr. as he scored his team’s next four points, putting Net Zero up four at 79-75 with 19 seconds left.
Harry “ATL” Smith grabbed an offensive rebound and laid up the ball to bring The Franchise within two with 10 seconds left.
The Franchise fouled Nelson to stop the clock. He made one free throw, leaving the score 80-77. With five seconds left, Franchise sharpshooter Derrick “The Helicopter” Loud went up with a three-point attempt that missed. Smith got the rebound but missed as time expired with the Net Zero up three in the May 25 contest.
Net Zero achieved the win short-handed. Referee Ishmael Freelon ejected one of their best players, Michael “The Option” Franklin, after a second technical foul five minutes into the game. The score went back and forth with several ties and no major leads until Franklin’s ejection.
“I wasn’t worried,” said Nelson.
Thereafter, The Franchise pulled ahead. However, Nelson brought his team back and hit a huge three-pointer to take the game into overtime at 65-65.
“He (Nelson) showed up big time today. He told me pre-game we just have to (play our best) ball and he did. The whole team made some good decisions – Cancun, D2, the whole team,” said Franklin.
H. Smith finished with 30 points, 24 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks; D. Smith added 14 points and 12 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block – both for The Franchise.
“We didn’t go wrong; they just played a better game,” said H. Smith about the loss. “I’m just honored to be a part of this league. It’s a good league,” he added.