Fleming leads Condors over Farragut

Making a grand entrance, Maurice Fleming demonstrated superb timing.

In his varsity debut, the Curie freshman guard registered a rebound, assist and steal and lay up that provided a crucial swing in the Condors’ 69-63 overtime victory over Farragut Sunday in the marquee game of the Derrick Rose Shootout at Orr.

With Curie holding a narrow 63-61 advantage with just over a minute and a half to play in overtime, Fleming rebounded a missed Farragut shot. He assisted senior forward Jeremy Price (16 points) for a driving score.

Seconds later, he deflected a pass and scored his only two points for a breakway that pushed Curie’s lead out to 67-61 with 48 seconds remaining.

“We knew he was a warrior, because he played varsity football as a freshman,” said Curie coach Mike Oliver. “We brought him up to give us some energy and bring us some steady play at the point guard.”

Fleming’s play culminated an electrifying finish that witnessed two ties and six lead changes in the final 1:25 of regulation.

The Condors (12-5), playing without starting junior forward Dennis Hodges, survived despite missing 21 free throws. They converted just 19-36 free throws in the second half.

Curie never trailed in overtime as sophomore star Wayne Blackshear (19 points, 13 rebounds, six blocked shots) scored on a baseline drive to start the extra session. Sophomore guard Greg Travis added 14.

“We just had to keep our composure and make our free throws,” said Blackshear. “Once we got the lead, we didn’t have to chase them or try to score and that helped us out.”

Senior guard Tyshawn Ferguson scored 14 to pace the Admirals (9-8). Sophomore forward Demetrius Tolliver contributed 12 points and senior forward Victor Treadwell added 10 points.

In the preliminary game, freshman guard Curtis Jones scored 14 points and senior forward Gregory McDowell added 13 to lead the host Spartans past King 63-52. Jones scored eight in the first half to power Orr (14-4) to a 36-16 lead at the break. Senior guard Emil Clayton scored 25 points for the Jaguars (5-11).