SONICS ARE ALREADY cashing in on winning the George Haynes sweepstakes.
The newly acquired national forward had a double-double and Jason Bowen hit the game-winning free throw with 1.1 seconds left as Roll-A-Way St John’s Sonics nabbed one from British American Insurance Jackson via Saturday’s 57-56 Premier League basketball cliff-hanger at the Wildey Gym.
It was a fitting celebration for Haynes’ much-awaited Sonics debut, which followed weeks of speculation on whether he would play for Sonics or Senators this season.
Sonics finally returned to winning ways, ending a two-game losing streak to improve to a 3-4 record on the back of Haynes’ game-high 16 points and 12 rebounds that came as the perfect complement to the play of fellow six-foot-nine big man Akeem Marsh.
However, for all the height the Sonics showcased, it was a point from one of their shortest players that stood above the rest.
Starting the final possession tied at 56 with 12 seconds on the clock, Sonics whittled down the clock before Bowen made his move to the basket inside the final seconds.
But the point guard seemingly had nowhere to go when he was airborne heading out of bounds with three Jackson players between him and the ring, only to get bailed out by a Kevin Austin foul on the hand with 1.1 ticks remaining.
Bowen calmly sank the first free throw before intentionally missing the latter as time expired after Pearson Griffith hauled in the rebound.
Marsh ended with 14 points and 11 boards while Manuel topscored for Jackson (2-4) with 15.
In the night’s other game, Ramon Simmons overcame a groin injury to score 12 of his game-high 19 points as part of a 31-13 fourth-quarter rally in Pinelands’ dramatic 75-67 comeback win over rivals Lumber Company Lakers.
Charles Vanderpool added 16 points as Pinelands improved to 5-3, while Ian Alexander led Lakers (4-3) with 16 as well. (JM)