5A-CENTRAL BOYS

Davis, Titans shoot down Patriots

Devonte Davis willed the Jacksonville Titans to a victory at Little Rock Parkview on Friday night.

The junior guard scored 10 of his game-high 28 points to lead the Titans past the Patriots 63-61 in a 5A-Central Conference game at Charles Ripley Arena in Little Rock.

"He's got the heart of a champion," Jacksonville Coach Victor Joyner said. "The kid competes so hard. He gets after it. We're just trying to get everybody on my team to match his intensity."

Senior guard Mykel Moore had 15 points for the Titans.

With 1:15 remaining and Jacksonville trailing 60-59, Davis drove to the basket and scored to give the Titans a 61-60 lead.

Parkview senior forward Allen Flanigan, who had 18 points, made one of two free throws to tie the game at 61-61 with 1:04 remaining.

But Jacksonville regained the lead at 62-61 with 32.8 seconds left to play on sophomore forward Ryan Maxwell's free throw.

Parkview had an opportunity to go in front, but Davis stole the ball from Flanigan and he was fouled by junior forward Jared Presley with 10.3 seconds left. Davis hit one of two free throws to give the Titans a 63-61 advantage.

The Patriots attempted one final shot with 0.9 seconds left. However, Flanigan missed a three-point attempt, giving the Titans the victory as Joyner erupted in celebration with his arms raised toward the Jacksonville fans.

"We have lost so many of these games like this where we were either up the three minutes left or down," Joyner said. "But this one happened to go our way and the kids made some good decisions."

Jacksonville (13-8, 6-4 5A-Central) moved to a game behind Parkview (15-7, 7-3) in the conference race.

Parkview, which led 56-49 with 4:00 left to play, struggled at the free-throw line, making 10 of 31.

"Missing 21 free throws, you can't beat nobody," Parkview Coach Al Flanigan said. "It's all on us for that one. When you're missing free throws, you're in bad shape."

Junior guard Keighland Young scored 12 points for the Patriots. Senior center Airion Simmons had 10 points before fouling out with 6:38 remaining.

The Patriots led 34-27 at halftime and 49-44 at the end of the third quarter.

Joyner hopes the Titans can build momentum off Friday's victory against the Patriots. The Titans host Sylvan Hills on Tuesday.

"We have to focus on the next one," Joyner said. "You can't lay down on this one and enjoy it for too long."

Parkview travels to Maumelle on Tuesday.

Sports on 02/09/2019

Upcoming Events