The third place game of the TJ Warren bracket showcased Combine Academy and Winston-Salem Christian. The Lions jumped out to an early lead behind the two-way play of 2023 Torey Alston, whose posterizing dunk nearly took the top off Holliday Gym. But 2024 Keshawn Brown banked in a 3-pointer as the first quarter clock expired to trim the GOATs lead to three points. Combine would build off its last-second heroics in the second quarter, as 2023 Silas Dmeray Jr. and 2024 Rakease Passmore helped the GOATs retake the lead. A late putback by 2023 Kendall Campbell would give Combine a 32-29 lead at the break.
Passmore continued his long range prowess in the third quarter, sinking a pair of triples to stretch the GOATs' lead to six points. Facing its largest hole of the afternoon, the Lions implemented their full court press. The intensified defensive set momentarily caused havoc for Combine, and Winston-Salem Christian would tie the game up heading into the final quarter. 2024 Lewis Walker would get going early in the fourth period and score six straight points for the Lions. A pair of 2024 Mason Hagedorn corner 3-pointers would help Combine take a four-point lead late in the game, but Winston-Salem Christian would not go away. A 2024 Isaiah Washington make from distance and free throw moments later knotted the two teams up at 56 with six seconds remaining. After forcing a GOATs turnover, the Lions would convert a perfectly designed inbound set, which was capped off by Washington sinking the game-winner at the horn.
Winston-Salem Christian 58 ' Combine 56
Winston-Salem Christian: 20 pts/ Lewis Walker 10 pts/ Torey Alston 8 pts, 5 reb
Combine: Rakease Passmore 18 pts/ Silas Demary Jr. 9 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast