Dougherty flashes promise during summer split

ALBANY — Mikel Roberts never hesitated.

Moments after Valdosta missed a potential game-winning shot in sudden-death overtime, the Dougherty guard sprinted down the floor, took a long outlet pass and laid the ball through the hoop before anyone could catch him.

Just like that, the Trojans had survived.

Roberts’ coast-to-coast winner capped a dramatic 34-32 victory over Valdosta and highlighted a day that showcased both the promise and perseverance of Dougherty basketball during summer action Wednesday at Monroe High School.

The Trojans later dropped a 33-27 decision to crosstown rival Westover, but coach Terrance Noel left encouraged by a team balancing football workouts in the morning with basketball competition in the afternoon.

“We looked a little sluggish today,” Noel said. “The majority of the team is practicing football in the morning and coming to me in the afternoon for basketball. I think that will benefit us in the long run, but today I think we looked fatigued.”

Dougherty looked anything but tired during stretches of its opener against Valdosta.

Rising senior David Burgess sparked the Trojans early with a deep 3-pointer that helped build a 9-4 advantage. Marcus Heath Jr. later connected from beyond the arc as Dougherty carried an 18-15 lead into halftime.

Valdosta battled back after the break and briefly grabbed the lead before Burgess answered with another clutch 3-pointer to tie the game at 28-28.

The final minutes felt more like February than June.

With less than a minute remaining, three Dougherty defenders trapped the ball near midcourt and forced a jump ball, giving the Trojans possession in a 30-30 game. Moments later Dougherty appeared poised to escape with the win, but a costly inbound turnover allowed Valdosta to score a tying layup in the closing seconds.

Under summer league rules, overtime became sudden death.

The Trojans immediately turned the ball over on their first possession, giving Valdosta an opportunity to steal the game. Instead, the Wildcats missed a shot and Dougherty secured the rebound.

The outlet pass found Roberts streaking toward the basket.

Seconds later, the game was over.

The thrilling victory gave way to another challenge against Westover.

Roberts opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, but the Patriots answered behind one of the day’s most impressive plays when Josiah Daniels drove the lane, spun 360 degrees and finished a layup to put Westover ahead 7-3.

The Patriots led 18-16 at halftime before seizing control with an 11-2 run to open the second half. A 3-pointer and a Daniels jumper pushed the advantage to 29-20 with seven minutes remaining.

Dougherty still had one more push left.

Trailing 33-22 with under two minutes to play, Noel called timeout. The Trojans responded immediately.

Micah Joyner buried a 3-pointer before Heath stole the ball and converted a layup, trimming the deficit to six points with 43 seconds remaining. Dougherty’s defense continued creating opportunities, but the shots never fell and Westover held on for the victory.

For Noel, the final scores mattered less than the progress.

“The standard we set for ourselves after last year is pretty high,” Noel said. “Everything we are working on is in preparation for us to make a deep run next year in the playoffs. We have a long way to go, but I’m optimistic and think this talented group can accomplish something special.”

June basketball rarely determines what happens in February. But on Wednesday, between Roberts’ sudden-death heroics and a spirited late rally against Westover, the Trojans offered a glimpse of the toughness Noel hopes will define them when the season arrives.