For much of Allen Community College’s 85-80 home victory over Seward County Community College on Wednesday, there wasn’t any doubt about who the best player on the court was.
Seward’s Kevin Sims had 37 points and was almost single-handedly keeping the Saints in the game, but in the closing moments it was Sims’s friend and Red Devil guard DaRon Mims who stepped to the forefront.
“I have been playing against Kevin since we were in the 10th grade,” Mims said. “It is always good to play against your friends. I’m just glad we got the win.”
Mims and Sims were both Oklahoma high school stars with Sims playing in Tulsa and Mims residing in Edmond.
“Sims is a big-time player,” Mims said. “He is going to be a major D-I player.”
With Sims and the Saints desperately trying to stay in the game, Mims turned his attention to attack the rim and getting Seward into foul trouble.
Down the stretch, Mims went 8-for-8 from the foul line to maintain the Allen lead and Sims was trying to match him by scoring seven points over the same stretch.
“I am a sophomore, I have been here,” Mims said. “I feel comfortable late with the ball in my hands, make it on me to knock it. I feel like Coach wants it to be on me to knock them down and I’m glad I did.”
With 11 seconds left, Mims hit his final his final pair of free throws and put the Red Devils ahead 83-80 and set the stage for one final match-up with Mims guarding Sims.
Sims dribbled the ball up the floor for the Saints, preparing to hunt for the three-pointer, and then Mims made his move.
In one motion, Mims poked the ball away from his friend and dove on the floor to collect the ball while signaling for a timeout.
“He rose up to the occasion,” Red Devil coach Andy Shaw said. “He gave great effort on theat last play. Huge, huge play, because with the way Sims was going, I wouldn’t be surprised if he made that shot to tie the game.”
The officials granted the timeout with 3.9 seconds left in the game.
On the ensuing possession, Allen’s Quentin Blaue collected the inbounds pass and was fouled. He hit both free throws to seal the game for Allen.
Mims finished the game with 30 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals to lead the Red Devils in all four categories.
E.J. Garnes also had a big game with 16 points and four assists from his point guard spot.
