Feb. 2, 2008

By Ben Baden

CHAPEL HILL - Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, Va.) handed the junior varsity team their first loss Thursday night as they took the lead from the Tar Heels with about 1:00 left in the game.

Fork Union made two free-throws to tie the game with 1:05 left and then the Tar Heels failed to convert. Fork Union then had another quick score. After a few fouls by the Tar Heels and some more free-throws Fork Union had sealed their victory at the Smith Center.

Fork Union also was the first team to defeat the junior varsity team last year in a similar game where they were able to pull out a victory in the final minutes, 81-74.

"I would guess they'll have five, six or seven guys that will play Division I basketball," said head coach Jerod Haase. "They made the plays down the stretch."

The junior varsity team led 46-39 at halftime, and they held the lead almost the entire second half until the final minute of the game.

"It was just a very emotional game," said starting point guard Robert Johnson, who finished with five points. "We had so much positive momentum going."

The Tar Heels were able to get an early lead on Fork Union to start the game, but they finished 19-40 as a team from the free-throw line.

"Our guys played their hearts out," Haase said. "There is no fault in effort or our enthusiasm."

Thomas Thornton led the Tar Heels in scoring with 16. Terrence Petree and Daniel Bolick were the only other players to finish in double figures. James Gallagher was back on the floor for the Tar Heels as he finished with nine points.

Jason Dawson of Fork Union led all scorers with 31. Dominic Stafford-King finished with 24 points and John Treherne finished with 10 points.

"They made a lot of tough shots that I thought we played pretty good defense on," Johnson said.

The Tar Heels hope to rebound on Thursday as they play their only game on the road at Louisburg College (Louisburg, N.C.) at 6:30 p.m.