By LARRY HYPES
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
MARION, Va. — A wing and a prayer in Marion fell an inch of Roanoke.
Abingdon’s Josh Hess converted a lay-up with nine seconds left before Tazewell’s John Walker missed a game-winning trey attempt that rolled around the rim an instant before Noah Walker’s putback almost became a tying buzzer beater as the Falcons held on for a 71-69 Region IV, Division 3 win at Hurricane House Wednesday.
Abingdon (11-14) will advance to the Regional Championship game against Cave Spring who defeated Martinsville, 75-46, in Roanoke Friday. Tazewell (12-13) concluded its season.
“We played with heart, that’s all you can ask for. We had a supernatural effort in the second half. John (Walker) had a rimmed out shot that would of put us in the state playoffs and Noah (Walker) came even closer at the buzzer,” said Blake Hash who helped lead a second half surge with 17 points.
The Walkers helped Tazewell to a 7-0 lead early as John drilled a trey and Noah hit a pair of buckets, one after Hash’s steal. Abingdon battled back first taking the lead on Mack Owens’ basket and the Falcons went on a 13-2 run to lead 19-16 after the first quarter period. Abingdon held a 40-28 advantage at halftime.
Jalen Jordan and Hash sparked the Tazewell comeback after the break as the Bulldogs finally closed to within two at 55-53 near the end of the period. Tazewell mounted an 18-5 run to get back in it.
The teams battled on nearly even terms in the final stanza as Noah Walker tied the score at 63-all with 3:19 remaining. Abingdon began missing inside against the determined Dog defense. A late stretch in the last four minutes when Tazewell missed five consecutive shots may have been decisive.
Ryan Hankins had a late bucket and two free throws to keep the Bulldogs close then John Walker made his fourth and final three-pointer from the deep right corner with 23 seconds left to play. Hess then made his bucket.
Falcon coach B.J. Lasley said, “Coming in everybody knew both teams had very good players. Both were well coached and played well all season. We made some great strides mentally, but tonight I couldn’t convince my kids that Tazewell would make a run after we got a big lead (15 points), but they did. Our offense made some mistakes, but the defense got the job done late in the game.”
John Walker noted, “We played our hearts out and you can’t ask for more than that.”
Ryan Hankins added, “We left every thing we had on the court and nobody could ask for a harder effort than we gave. I’m proud of that.”
Hess led the Falcons with 22 points followed by Owens (14) and Joey Blevins (12).
Four Bulldogs were in double digits including Hash, Jalen Jordan (16) and John Walker (12). Noah Walker sparkled for Tazewell with a team-high 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots. The Dogs made 16 of 23 at the free throw line including perfect 10 for 10 by Jordan.
Tazewell coach Lee Walker said, “We played hard. At halftime, we challenged the team and told them if they wanted to play to go back out and show it. They did and I’m proud of them. This has been an exciting and a successful season for us.”

at Marion High School
TAZEWELL (12-13)
Blake Hash 8 0-1 17, Mikal Moore 0 0-0 0, Colin Hancock 1 0-0 2, John Walker 4 0-0 12, Jalen Jordan 3 10-10 16, Ryan Hankins 1 2-2 4, Noah Walker 7 4-10 18. Totals 19 5 16-23 69.
ABINGDON (11-14)
Jacob Meade 1 0-0 2, Chris Sigmon 3 3-4 10, Chaz Owens 4 1-1 9, Caleb Janson 1 0-0 2, Joey Blevins 4 4-7 12, Mack Owens 7 0-0 14. Totals 25 3 12-16 71.
Tazewell.............................16 12 25 16 — 69
Abingdon...........................19 21 17 14 — 71
3 pt field goals: TAZ 5 (J. Walker 4, Hash 1); ABI 3 (Hess 2, Sigmon 1). Fouled out: none.