RED SPRINGS Keeping pace with an adversary that rarely falters is never easy, but Red Springs is doing its best this season.

Fairmonts surprising loss to Whiteville last week re-opened the door for the Red Devils in the Three Rivers Conference championship hunt and on Monday night, they took advantage.

Tavion Atkinsons late steal and layup followed by four free throws in the final 15.4 seconds from Jared Foster helped Red Springs seal a 55-50 victory over the confident Wolfpack, a win that puts the Red Devils within striking distance of first place with two games remaining in the regular season.

If Red Springs (15-6, 10-2) can win out against West Columbus and St. Pauls, Fairmont (15-5, 10-1) would need to sweep South Columbus, East Columbus and South Robeson to win its fourth consecutive league title outright.

A loss by the Golden Tornadoes would mean co-conference champions even though Fairmont holds the tiebreaker for playoff seeding purposes thanks to three wins over the Red Devils this season.

Being able to beat Whiteville is a good measuring stick for where were at as a team, but weve got to be able to find a way to beat Fairmont, Red Springs coach Glenn Patterson said. Maybe South Columbus can give those guys a run when they play.

Following a 12-point loss loss to Fairmont on Jan. 7, Patterson accurately predicted the Golden Tornadoes would have a hiccup somewhere on the schedule the rest of the way. But the Red Devils didnt hold up their end of the bargain, falling again by double digits the next time the two rivals met at Fairmont on Feb. 4.

I knew it would happen, Patterson said. I think its mental more than anything. We allow (Fairmont) to take our heads out of the ballgame. Were still in the race and Im proud of this team for continuing to fight.

Mondays win was a gritty one as Red Springs pulled ahead by 12 in the fourth quarter before Whiteville (15-4, 8-4) closed the gap to within three on Brandon Bests 25-footer with 22 seconds to play. Forced to foul Foster, Red Springs top scorer this season, the Wolfpack never got closer as the senior point guard drained every free throw he attempted over the final two possessions.

I challenge them not to quit when we got the lead, Patterson said. I just told them that it was time to close, time to finish. We got the ball in Jareds hands and he knocked down some shots when we had to have them.

Originally posted here:

Red Springs narrow win inches Devils closer to Fairmont