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Putnam Science Academy’s Jaheam Cornwall and Jose Perez took the floor March 22 in the first round of the NCAA tournament for the #16 seed Gardner-Webb Bulldogs as they had an up-hill challenge in the school’s first tournament appearance. Cornwall, the sophomore, and Perez, the freshman, both saw success at Putnam Science Academy for the Mustangs with Cornwall leading PSA to multiple National Prep tournament appearances and Jose being a part of the 2018 team that took home the National Prep Championship.
Both played on the big stage but the lights were a little brighter this time around.
Gardner-Webb was the 4 seed in the Big South tournament and won their conference title last week to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament, a first for the program. The Bulldogs were awarded the 16 seed and set to face #1 seed in the South region, the Virginia Cavaliers. Now the Cavaliers earned the #1 seed after losing just 3 games this season, but Virginia was still trying to shake the doubters after being the #1 seed last year in the NCAA tournament and making history for all the wrong reasons. Virginia became the first #1 seed to lose to a #16 seed after a shocking 74-54 defeat to the UMBC Retrievers. Headed into their match-up, Perez was not going to back down and neither were his teammates. In a press conference one day before the game, Perez said, “They (Virginia) tie their shoes the same way we do.” Hinting that it’s just one game and anything can happen.
The Cavaliers ghosts from last year re-appeared in the first half versus Gardner-Webb with the Bulldogs up by as many as 12 points and were up 36-30 over the #1 seed. Perez was the leading scorer at the break for the Bulldogs with 13 points while teammate Cornwall was making his presence felt but slashing his way to the cup and forcing the defense to respect him off the dribble. The once double-digit lead was short lived in the 2nd half with the Cavaliers finding their rhythm and going on to out-score the Bulldogs 41-20 in a 71-56 victory. Jose Perez led Gardner-Webb with a team-high 19 points adding three assists. Cornwall scored just two points but finished with two rebounds and two assists while also holding his counter-part Kihei Clark to just three points in the contest.
After the game, Perez sat in-front of media and spoke highly of his team and the performance they displayed on the National stage. “First I just want to thank the fans for making the trip down here and making this game feel like a home game, it looked like there was at least 1,000 fans here rooting us on and supporting us.” Jose then spoke about being a freshmen and making his debut in March Madness. Perez, with all smiles, said, “As a freshman, playing in March Madness it’s definitely a dream come true especially being a part of it with these guys” as he pointed to his fellow senior teammates and head coach. The Bulldogs will return key components to this year’s team including PSA’s Perez and Cornwall. With more pieces to add, don’t be surprised if the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs going dancing again next year this time in March.
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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