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A high school basketball game in South Carolina ended in controversy due to a technical foul called late in the action. The matchup was played between Gray Collegiate and North Augusta.
It was the third meeting of the year between the rivals, with each side winning one game in the regular season. They saved the best for last in the dramatic overtime rubber match.
Gray jumped out to an early advantage which it rode into the halftime break. North Augusta overcame the deficit and grabbed a one-point lead in the third quarter of play, setting up a fourth quarter battle. The foes were neck-and-neck from then on.
Boys: Gray Collegiate 53, North Augusta 52. 1:25 to go
Quh’Mareon Webb with a 3 to get the Jackets back within 1 pic.twitter.com/MzQHI1B3Rm
— Kyle Dawson (@ItsKyleDawson) February 26, 2025
Gray regained its lead late, though North Augusta pulled to within one point in the final minute. The score was 53-52 when things started to go off the rails.
A Gray player was fouled after making a defensive stand to keep the lead intact. With less than two seconds left in regulation, a comeback attempt appeared nearly impossible.
Just before the final buzzer, one of the visiting players got into a shouting match with North Augusta students. A scuffle nearly broke out. A technical foul was then awarded to the home team, allowing them an opportunity to tie the game up.
Gray inbounds and runs clock. North Augusta students with words for Gray players, and we nearly have a scuffle. Refs talking with coaches now
— Kyle Dawson (@ItsKyleDawson) February 26, 2025
Gray made one of two free throws for the foul that occurred prior to the tech. That made the lead 54-52. North Augusta then got its two shots from the line, sinking both to force overtime.
The Gray high school basketball team would lose in the extra session, 66-56. The setback ended their season one game shy of the championship round. North Augusta, meanwhile, will play for the Class AAAA Lower State title on Monday.