The Tribune

GARRETH Edgecombe and his Caldwell Community College men’s basketball team defeated USC-Salkehatchie 68-66 in the Division 1 Region 10/Atlantic District Tournament Championship Saturday afternoon in Hudson.

Edgecombe, a 2019 graduate of Galilee Academy, was enrolled at Franklin Prep Academy in Clemson, South Carolina before he enrolled at Caldwell Community College in Hudson, North Carolina.

Caldwell’s largest lead was five points - 38-33 with 18:31 remaining in the second half.

USC-Salk’s largest lead was three points, several times during the game. USC-Salk’s last lead came at 59-57 with 7:20 remaining on a basket by Trevur Smalls.

RJ Black’s three-pointer with 6:52 remaining gave Caldwell a 60-59 lead.

Caleb Mauldin would break the final tie of the game on a putback with 4;30 remaining, giving Caldwell a 63-61 advantage.

Josh Dupree’s basket with 3:37 to go would make it a two possession game at 65-61.

USC-Salk would close a three-point deficit to one point at 66-65 when Lee Langstaff Jr hit two free-throws with 53.9 seconds remaining.

On their next possession, Caldwell’s Shawn Nelson would hit a left side baseline jumper to give Caldwell a 68-65 advantage. USC-Salk missed on their next possession, fouled, and sent Caldwell to the line for a one-and-one with 26.3 seconds remaining.

Caldwell would miss the shot giving USC-Salk the ball.

Kailee White was fouled on a three-point attempt with 0.8 seconds remaining. White would miss the first free throw but make the second to cut the lead to 68-66.

After a timeout, White intentionally missed the shot, Caldwell’s Toyaz Solomon secured the rebound to give Caldwell the victory. Mauldin scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half.

The Cobras were led by Caleb Mauldin who had 16 points. Josh Dupree scored 13 and Shawn Nelson added 12.

Other scorers for Caldwell were Isaiah Pruett with nine points, RJ Black added six, Charles Bryson and Toyaz Solomon both scored five points and Amarie Elijah- Kirby had two.

Cobras earn an automatic bid to the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Division One Tournament, March 14-19, held in the historic Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, KS.

Twenty four teams compete for the national title. Tickets are available online at njcaa.org/tickets. The NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Selection Shows will take place on Sunday, March 6 at 6:30PM ET.