02/18/2006
By BRIAN PORTER, Staff writer

ADDISON - With quick and lethal three-point shooting, no deficit is ever too much to overcome.

It was the long-range jumper that continuously led Kimball back from deficits Friday and the free-throw shooting which ultimately lifted Plano, 82-80, in overtime of a playoff warm-up game in the DallasPreps.com Postseason Jamboree at Alfred J. Loos Fieldhouse in Addison.

"All things being equal, I'm glad we won by two points in overtime rather than 32," Plano coach Tom Inman said. "I'm disturbed we lost a 16-point lead."

Freshman Rex Burkhead sank a jumper on the opening possession of the fourth period and Plano (23-8) led 55-39. Kimball (17-12) sank 4-of-6 attempts from three-point land in the fourth period. Robert Williams tied the game from the free-throw line and on the next possession Raythell Harris sank his sixth 3-pointer of the game to give Kimball its first lead, 68-67, with 52 seconds remaining in regulation.

Kimball went up by three points and it was John Roberson time. The junior guard sank a pair of free throws with 21 seconds left. He was sent back to the free-throw line when Kimball coach Royce Johnson drew a technical foul with 10 seconds left and Plano was able to force overtime.

Joseph Fulce gave Plano the lead for good when he followed an Eric Zastoupil foul shot with a jumper and a successive field goal for a 79-76 lead in overtime. Kimball's Marvin Richardson launched a three-pointer at the overtime buzzer for the win, but it failed.

Buzzer-beaters were in plentiful supply for Plano. Roberson's to end the third period drifted into the net and the junior was headed to the bench before his shot fell from the sky.

"His ability to hit big shots is unparalleled," Inman said. "He's just so steady."

Roberson turned in a game-high 23 points.

Burkhead snapped off a 20-footer at the first half buzzer for a 32-23 advantage, Plano's largest of the first half. "He's a freshman, but not in awe of the game," Inman said. "He has a lot of composure for a young kid."

Kimball used a 31-17 run in the fourth period and challenged again in overtime. Plano survived to post a six-game winning streak and enter the playoffs with a 13-1 record across its past 14 games.

"We've got right now what I was hoping to have in mid-January," Inman said. "I see a really seasoned, composed team."