White's vision sets up Kings' winning basket over charging Clippers

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB - A single bucket was the difference between the Red Deer College Kings and Briercrest College Clippers on Friday evening. The Kings led 43-38 at the half, but a 47 point second half brought the visitors within striking distance. As time ticked down, the RDC Kings scored the game-winning field goal, sealing an 87-85 win. 

The Kings outscored the Clippers 24-13 during the first quarter and held a five point edge (43-38) at the break.

Tyronn King and Spencer Klassen had nine points each for RDC. Briercrest College's Brandon Tolentino led both teams with 11.

Tyronn King (13) and Anthony Harper (4)

"We had a good start, which hasn't happened the last couple games. We got out to a 19 point lead," says Kings Head Coach Darren Graham. "They brought it within five at half-time and then they kind of battled. One of their leading players was injured for the game, so that was tough on them, but they rallied." 

Briercrest College had a strong latter half, outscoring the Kings by three (47-44) but it wasn't quite enough. The Red Deer College Kings picked up an 87-85 home win. 

"They hit some big three-point shots which hurt us down the stretch, but ultimately our guys toughed it out," says Graham. "Tyronn King hit a deep two to give us the lead and when we broke down on defence, Cody White made a nice pass to Kev right at the buzzer for the win. It's exciting for the guys."

RDC had 10 three-pointers. Briercrest College finished with 11.

After Cody White missed some games with an injury, he certainly found his groove. The fourth-year guard from Red Deer knocked down 21 points, including five-of-10 from beyond the arc and four out of four from the free-throw line. On the final play, the Clippers defence was likely expecting a shot, but the RDC Kinesiology Fitness-Health student fed Kevin Szymanek down low for the winning basket off the glass.

"We drew it up to get Cody in the corner and then Kev set a screen," says Graham. "It was Cody's creativity and offensive prowess to make that pass and Kev's determined finish."

Kevin Szymanek accumulated eight points and five rebounds.

The Kings had the edge on the boards (44-38).

Andrew Cunningham (22) had a pair of assists off the bench

The RDC Kings connected on 44 per cent of their shots from the field. The Briercrest College Clippers were 46.3 per cent successful. 

Tyronn King was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Kings Player of the Game. The RDC Legal Assistant student racked up 21 points, six rebounds, six steals and five assists.

Red Deer's Spencer Klassen totaled 18 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. 

"I thought we played really well as a team. I liked Cody's and Ty's performances," says Graham. "I thought Cole Wicker came off the bench - he had a couple three's and gave us a little bit of a spark."

In 16 minutes, Cole Wicker was two-for-four on his three-point attempts, adding three assists and one rebound.

"Anthony Harper did well. He came off the bench, played some good defence and got some rebounds," says Graham. "Some intangible type plays, steals and that kind of thing, so that helped us as well."

Anthony Harper had three boards, two assists, one steal, one block and a pair of points. 

Brandon Tolentino was recognized as the Clippers top performer, totaling 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

On Saturday, the Kings (4-3) will face the Clippers (2-4) at 3:00 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in a rematch.