boys come up short|[2/16/06].

MADISON – Wednesday’s game between Warren Central and Greenville-Weston had more twists and turns than a Hollywood thriller.

Each team had chances to win the game, and each had chances to lose. The season literally hung in the balance on nearly every possession. Goats became heroes, and then goats again, before they even had an opportunity to enjoy the moment.

And when the dust settled and the final horn sounded, it was Greenville that got to dance off the court to a happy ending.

Brandon McCoy scored 19 points, including a go-ahead dunk late in overtime, and Cordario Calvin netted the last of his 16 points on a three-point play that turned into the deciding points as Greenville beat WC 66-64 in the first round of the Division 3-5A tournament at Madison Central.

Shone Ester hit four 3-pointers in the game and led Warren Central with 16 points. Jula Pugh added 15 for the Vikings, while Fabian McPherson netted a game-high 21 for Greenville.

&#8220We had a hundred chances to win and a hundred chances to lose,” Greenville coach George Christian said. &#8220It looked like we were just trying to give it away.”

Greenville (15-11) advanced to Saturday night’s championship game against Madison Central, as well as next week’s Class 5A North State satellite game.

Warren Central, meanwhile, saw a promising season end with a 16-9 record.

&#8220This was one of our best teams, one of our best seasons. We were trying to make it further than we usually make it. What happened, hurts,” said Warren Central’s Shaan Walker, who finished with 11 points, five rebounds and six steals.

The biggest lead by either team was an 11-point advantage that Greenville briefly enjoyed late in the third quarter. WC stormed back in the fourth and went ahead 49-48 on Ester’s 3-pointer with 3:30 left.

From there, the teams went back and forth. There were six lead changes or ties in the last 7 1/2 minutes, as well as several comebacks by the Vikings.

Greenville took a 55-52 lead on a dunk by McCoy and a free throw by Le’Derek Swilley with 44.4 seconds to play in regulation. On the Vikings’ ensuing possession, Jula Pugh drove the lane from the right side, tripped and nearly lost his dribble. He somehow kept his balance and put up a shot that went in to cut it to 55-54 with 16.9 seconds to go.

Walker then came up with a steal at midcourt and hit Pugh with a pass. Pugh was fouled, but hit only one of two free throws to tie the game at 55 with 7.9 seconds to go. McPherson missed a jumper on the other end of the floor and the game went into overtime.

The extra period was more of the same. Greenville took the lead for good on McCoy’s dunk with 45 seconds to go, and Calvin’s three-point play with 37.6 seconds left helped the Hornets extend the lead to 65-61.

Still, the Vikings had one more comeback in them. Walker hit three free throws down the stretch as WC clawed within a basket, 66-64, with 4.2 seconds to go.

Then, on the inbounds pass, Swilley tripped and was called for traveling to give WC one last chance. The ball found its way into the hands of Pugh, who airballed a 3-pointer as time expired.

&#8220I didn’t know what to think,” Christian said of the final sequence. &#8220I was just hoping and praying to God that they didn’t hit a three.”

Madison Central 46, VHS 43.

Vicksburg’s season came to an end with a loss to Madison Central in the Division 3-5A tournament.

Vicksburg (13-15) missed shots on its final three possessions, allowing Madison to score the last five points of the game.

&#8220I thought we played hard and really well, but Madison Central executed down the stretch,” said VHS coach Dellie C. Robinson. &#8220To win a close ballgame, you have to execute. We had some turnovers that were unforced and that was the difference.”

A tip-in by Brandon Harper gave Vicksburg a 43-41 lead in the fourth quarter, but Tim Buckley answered with a 3-pointer to give the Jaguars (24-7) a one-point lead.

After the Gators failed to score on their ensuing possession, Madison used a stall tactic to eat over three minutes off the clock.

Madison’s Chad Akins hit two shots for a three-point lead with 1:02 remaining. Vicksburg ran its offense until 15 seconds were left before Jonathan Phelps attempted a 3-pointer that rimmed off.

Vicksburg had one last chance after the Jags missed a free throw, but Delmon Robinson’s shot off.