RADFORD — It was make or break time for the Graham G-Men, and point guard Markelle Ray wanted the ball.
What happened next will long be remembered.
After navigating past two defenders, the 5-foot-9 senior elevated over a taller player and hit a jumper from the foul line with three seconds remaining.
When Floyd County misfired on a heave at the buzzer, Graham emerged with a 62-61 win in Friday’s VHSL Class 2 boys basketball semifinal game at Radford University’s Dedmon Center.
Did Ray feel any nerves before his heroic sequence?
“I’ve been waiting for and working for this my whole life,†Ray said. “I’m built for these type of moments.â€
Graham’s Markelle Ray shoots the game-winning shot over Floyd’s Sam Phillips in the final moments of Friday’s Class 2 state semifinal.
Ray used a screen from 6-2 senior Cole Sexton to maneuver into his favorite position on the floor.
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“I work on that same shot a hundred times a day in practice,†Ray said. “I knew that I couldn’t get to the rim, so I just took what the defense gave me.â€
The dramatic victory was a microcosm of the entire season for Graham.
Relying on just a seven-player rotation, the G-Men overcame a serious height disadvantage and 47-40 deficit with 7:44 left in the game.
“We’re the smallest team in Virginia, but our kids play good defense and always keep fighting,†Graham coach Todd Baker said. “This is such a resilient team.â€
Graham's Markelle Ray (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning shot in the final moments of Friday's Class 2 state semifinal against Floyd County.
Sexton and 6-foot freshman Ty Martin each scored 11 points for Graham, while 6-2 senior Blake Graham and 5-11 sophomore Channing Disibbio each had seven.
Overcoming early foul trouble, Ray finished with 23 points and engineered the fourth-quarter rally with his quickness and bold drives.
According to Baker, no obstacle is too much for Ray.
“I’ve watched Markelle since fourth grade travel ball,†Baker said. “He’s always the smallest kid on the floor. But man, he can play the game.â€
Floyd County’s Gavin Herrington (center) drives to the basket past Graham’s Markelle Ray (left) and Channing Disibbio in the second half of Friday’s Class 2 state semifinal at Radford University.
Was Ray’s scrapbook shot a matter of design or improvisation?
“You can’t draw some things up. Kids just make plays,†Baker said. “What a shot and what a game.â€
Floyd County (20-6) featured an aggressive style behind 6-foot sophomore shooter Noah Farley (16 points) and the quick guard tandem of 5-11 senior Gavin Herrington (15 points) and 5-8 senior Korey Turpin.
After falling behind 56-52 with 4:34 left in the contest, FC grabbed a 59-56 lead at the 2:28 mark on a fast-break finish by 6-1 junior Isaiah Cantrell.
Graham's head coach Todd Baker (left) and Floyd head coach Brian Harman talk at the conclusion of Friday's Class 2 state semifinal at Radford University.
The Buffaloes were clinging to a 61-60 margin before turning the ball over with 40 seconds left.
That set the stage for Ray.
“Give Graham credit. That was a big shot from a great player in a high-level game,†FC coach Brian Harman said. “We’ve been on the other side of that for about three straight games.
“Graham has great kids and a great coach, and I have a ton of respect for that program.â€
Floyd County's Noah Farley (right) shoots a 3-point basket as Graham's Cole Sexton defends in the first half of Friday's Class 2 state semifinal.
The Buffaloes were coming off two straight overtime victories, including a wild 57-52 win over Virginia High in the quarterfinals. That thriller was played before an overflow crowd at Floyd County High School.
A large contingent of FC fans waited outside the team locker room on Friday before the players and coaches finally emerged.
“If you’re from Floyd County, you got your money’s worth with our past three games,†Harman said.
Graham used its edge in quickness in the final minutes to score in transition and to disrupt the Floyd County offense.
“You can’t relax in these type games,†Harman said. “Graham hit shots and free throws.â€
Floyd County's Korey Turpin (right) is defended by Graham's Channing Disibbio in the second half of Friday's Class 2 state semifinal.
Graham (21-4) will face defending champion John Marshall (24-2) for the Class 2 title on Thursday at the Siegel Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.
“Everybody asks about John Marshall sitting there in the finals, but our guys didn’t care about that. They just wanted to reach the state championship,’†Harman said.
Graham knows all about drama. The G-Men trailed Central-Wise 62-56 with 1:29 left in the Region 2D semifinals before recording a 66-62 decision in overtime.
“We’re used to being down in games. We just learn how to adjust and deal with adversity,†Blake Graham said. “We felt like we were the faster team tonight, so we tried to get to the bucket in transition.â€
Blake Graham said he felt confident when he saw Ray launch his trademark funky looking jumper in the final seconds.
“I just knew Markelle was going to do something,†Graham said. “We’ve seen him take that same shot a million times over the past four years.â€
An emotional Ray was mobbed by giddy fans late Friday.
“This win means everything to me,†Ray said. “Regardless of the circumstances, our team never backs down.â€
Graham 62, Floyd County 61
GRAHAM (62)
Ray 7 7-8 23, Disibbio 3 0-0 7, Sexton 4 3-6 11, Graham 3 1-2 7, Fix 1 0-0 3, Martin 5 1-2 11. Totals 23 12-18 62.
FLOYD COUNTY (61)
Farley 6 0-0 16, Turpin 5 2-3 12, Underwood 1 0-0 2, Herrington 6 2-2 15, Cantrell 4 1-2 10, Swortzel 2 0-2 4, Cox 1 0-0 2. Totals 25 5-9 61.
Graham 16 5 19 22 — 62
Floyd County 10 15 20 16 — 61
3-point goals – Graham 4 (Ray 2, Disibbio, Fix), FC 6 (Farley 4, Herrington, Cantrell). Total fouls – Graham 12, FC 14. Fouled out — none
