Campbell ends rut with senior night win over Delta C-7

CAMPBELL - Senior night was sweet for Campbell (7-17) Tuesday as the Camels' boys basketball team defeated the Delta C-7 Chargers (11-9) by just two buckets, 56-52.

Campbell head coach Steve Fowler explained his squad is in a building season and plays three seniors including an injured Cole Townsend, new-to-program Duncan Hicks and Jake Hensley. Fowler also indicated his team has had to address Covid and a number of injuries.

However, the Camels played like a team possessed in its quest to shut down high-scoring Charger C.J. Wallace. Wallace, Tuesday's top gun who averaged 25 points per outing and 28.9 points in conference play, was held to 19 points by design, Fowler said.

"We'll go to (Wallace's) left side tonight," Fowler noted before the game. "He seems uncomfortable on that side. Of course we'll be guarding him closely throughout. We'll make sure whoever covers him has backup."

Fowler started his three seniors: Townsend, Hicks and Hensley, along with juniors Sam Bunting and Logan Townsend, to face Delta C-7's Wallace, Bryce Manley, Jaden Ward, Devon Stewart and Jacob Miller.

"This is our first matchup of the year," Delta C-7 head coach Josh Mathis said. "They play hard. Coach Fowler was coaching in 2005 back when I was playing. We'll need to execute defensively and take care of the ball. If we can do that I think we'll have a good chance at winning. Coach Fowler will have his team prepared. Their record does not reflect their ability."

Campbell was first to draw blood when the Camels secured the tip and Townsend sank an easy layup, followed by a rebound and missed three-point shot by Wallace.

The teams battled against the boards with Campbell hanging on to a two-point lead until the end of the first period buzzer that found the Camels ahead by five, 13-8.

Wallace drew a foul and sank two free-throws with seven minutes remaining in the second period. Scant seconds later, however, the score changed 14-13 in favor of the Chargers.

Campbell�s Duncan Hicks (15) and Ben Bowland (20) defend against Delta C-7 guard Jason Ward Tuesday at Campbell High School.Steve Hankins, Contributing Writer

The lead was reclaimed by Campbell 16-14 as a result of a successful three-point shot from the outside.

The skirmish resumed, and with two minutes remaining in the second period and the score tied 20-20, the Camels went on the offensive against a solid Chargers squad that whittled the lead down to just one point, 24-23 at the half.

After a number of turnovers and a litany of fouls, Campbell led Delta by one goal, 27-25 with 5:22 left in the third period.

Although the Camels all but corralled Wallace, the freshman Charger scored a layup and a free-throw to put the Chargers in the lead 30-27, then 32-27 with 3:53 left and Campbell clawing for every point.

The third period featured a number of three-point conversions by both teams and Campbell fighting for the lead 32-29, 37-30, 44-34, and 44-36 with under a minute remaining.

Campbell poured on the awesome sauce to lead Delta by 12 heading into the final period, 48-36. The fourth period began with Campbell sinking two free-throws answered immediately by Delta, bringing the score to 48-40.

The game continued and with 2:30 left the Camels were ahead by two, 49-47. Delta took the ball, lost it to Campbell who lost it to Delta who lost it to Campbell ...and, time out.

The game resumed and with the Camels in front 51-50 then 52-51 with 29.5 seconds remaining, Wallace hit a free-throw to tie the match 52-52.

Campbell took the ball and a few seconds later the Camels' Drew Fowler launched a three-point missile from the outside bringing the score to 55-52. The Camels drew a foul and capitalized on it to end the game 56-52.

"We gave the end of that game up with silly fouls, sad situations at the foul line and awful turnovers," Mathis lamented after the matchup. "We did not play basketball in the fourth quarter. They locked up Wallace. They played a heck of a game, just like we know they can."

Coach Fowler noted he was proud of this team.

"I think we adjusted and played really hard," Fowler said. "That's among our strengths.”

"We've played a lot of close games this year," he continued. "We mixed up our defense and added some wrinkles to try to slow them down. We turned over the ball way too much. We need to do a better job of limiting turnovers, but I'm proud of this team and I'm glad we got this one done."

The game's high scorer was Delta's C.J. Wallace with 19 points followed by Campbell's Sam Bunting, who scored 13. Delta's Devon Stewart scored 11 points and Campbell's Drew Fowler scored nine.

Campbell's Drew Fowler and Jackson Anthony and Delta's Bryce Manley and C.J. Wallace all scored two three-point goals.

The Camels' win broke a seven-game losing streak. Next, Campbell travels to Gideon (3-20) while Delta C-7 travels to South Pemiscot (13-12) Thursday evening.

Campbell senior athletes and cheerleaders are recognized during the Camels' senior night ceremony Tuesday night.Steve Hankins, Contributing Writer