How Conway boys basketball fared in its first shot at reaching state title game
Conway’s boys basketball team was on a magical run in the Class 5A playoffs.
That ended on Saturday, as Dutch Fork used an abundance of Conway (16-11) errors to its advantage and knocked the Tigers from the playoffs, winning the Lower State final 71-52. Sixteen turnovers by Conway helped Dutch Fork (22-9) pull away, with the Silver Foxes leading by as many as 20 points in the contest.
“We tried to play too fast and that really hurt us,” said senior Tim Steele following the season-ending defeat. “We started out playing how we wanted to and competing, but (Dutch Fork) put some pressure on us and we didn’t handle it, that cost us the game.”
Conway coach Michael Hopkins said much of the success Dutch Fork found came because of Conway miscues.
“Turnovers were the difference, some of them they caused and some were self-inflicted,” he said. “Turnovers allowed them to catch the momentum and we were playing from behind. When we don’t take care of the basketball, we struggle. We were playing the way we wanted to, but playing one game away from a state championship, the opponent is going to make plays.”
The Tigers used a 9-0 run that eclipsed the first and second quarters to take a lead as large as six points, but runs by Dutch Fork put the Silver Foxes ahead. A 20-0 Dutch Fork’s largest run, 20-0, took seven minutes of game time to end the second quarter and begin the third. By that point, Conway was down 17 points, a margin that Dutch Fork held for the rest of the game.
“This one hurts for our seniors that have poured so much into the program,” Hopkins said. “Tonka (Hemingway) didn’t have to come back and play for us this year, but he wanted to finish what he’s been building here. He left everything out on the court; he’s a warrior. Our guys are disappointed, but this experience has been great for us.”
Hemingway, to his credit, continued to will Conway back in the contest, attacking the middle of an aggressive 2-3 zone employed by Dutch Fork in the second half. The South Carolina football recruit’s 22 points and 11 rebounds both led the Tigers.
His running mate, Steele, characterized Hemingway’s play as “dominant.”
“Tonka showed it all season,” Steele said. “We were able to put on for Conway and give the town something to be proud of. Making it this far, we wanted to get to Columbia, but I know we made our town proud.”
Leading a team littered with young talent, Hopkins took extra time to introduce his players to the atmosphere of playing deep in the playoffs.
“We came out here early, because I wanted our guys to get a feel for all of this,” Hopkins said of playing at the Florence Center. “Once you make it this far, all of the teams are talented and well-coached. We wanted our guys to really grasp the idea that they belong here and us getting to this point isn’t a one-time thing. I want our young guys to make this their expectation.”
With a roster that includes 11 underclassmen and loses only four seniors, the Conway basketball program might be on the cusp of a strong run. For now, they will have to turn the page to next season, while Dutch Fork advances to face Dorman for the Class 5A state title.
Con – 14 11 11 16
DF – 15 17 20 19
Scoring leaders
Con –Tonka Hemingway 22; Tim Steele 11
DF – Jarvis Green 25; AJ Knight 13; Jarvis McClurkin 10; Houston Jones 10; Dimarco Johnson 10
This story was originally published February 29, 2020 at 8:50 PM.