Bryan Station coach Champ Ligon Jr. claims lightning-quick standout sophomore Amari Owens does something seemingly impossible at almost every practice.
On Friday night against rival Frederick Douglass in front of a capacity crowd with first place in the 42nd District on the line, both Owens and his Defenders teammates did the seemingly impossible by erasing a 10-point deficit with 3:43 to play and escaping with a court-storming 67-64 win on the Northside.
“We just worked hard, played as a team and kept our composure,” said Owens, who scored 12 of his team-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, including an incredible play that gave Bryan Station a 65-64 lead with 1:17 to go.
Owens trailed a fast break started by teammate Justin Richmond’s steal on Douglass’ end. Richmond threw the ball ahead to Rashaad Faulkner, who went up for a left-handed layup that Douglass guard Aveion Chenault swatted against the backboard.
From just a few feet away, Owens jumped to meet the carom in the air and shot it back at the basket in one motion as he was fouled. The ball circled through the rim, a referee’s whistle blew and Bryan Station’s fans erupted. Owens made the ensuing free throw for Bryan Station’s first lead since going up 2-0 on the game’s opening possession.