Denton boys pull off upset of Trophy Club Nelson

By Greg Bogomol

Special to the Star-Telegram

DENTON -- In a twisting, turning game for the District 5-4A lead, a charge taken by Adrian Harris with 9.2 seconds left proved the difference in Denton's 58-57 upset victory over Trophy Club Nelson.

With Denton clinging to a one-point lead, Harris took a charge on a drive by Nelson's Keyunta Watkins, who had a game-high 28 points.

Watkins had just drained a 3-pointer, and Denton (11-13, 6-1) couldn't get off an inbounds pass, giving Nelson (20-4, 6-1) the possession that led to Watkins' ill-fated charging call.

With a chance to seal the win, Denton missed two free throws. Nelson took possession, but on a trap play Watkins fell to the ground and lost the ball with 2.1 seconds left. Denton again missed two free throws and Nelson's last-second shot fell short.

"I think tonight showed that on any given night anyone has a chance to beat anyone," Denton coach Harold Jackson said. "Late in the game you've got to make your free throws and we didn't do it, but we did just enough."

Denton's Manny Patterson (15 points) and Deamonte Hughes (11) helped knock off the No. 14-ranked team in Class 4A with transition and second-chance points.

The teams were tied at 43-43 after three quarters. Patterson put Denton up 51-47 lead with 4:06 remaining. Nelson's Watkins cut the lead to 51-50 on a three.

Chris Nickells' layup gave Nelson a 52-51 lead with 2:42 to go, but Patterson and Hughes answered, eventually stretching Denton's lead to 57-52. Watkins scored Nelson's last five points, and Denton hit 1 of 2 free throws to hold on.

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