FOREST — Forest High School’s Letrevius Pinkston wasn’t having a good night.

But he redeemed himself in a big way.

Pinkston made a 4-point play with 18 seconds left in double overtime to help lift the Bearcats past Kemper County High School 70-67.

Pinkston missed two free throws with 18 seconds left in the first overtime that would’ve won it for the Bearcats.

“I was off all night, and Coach told me to stepped up, so I stepped up,” Pinkston said. “The play was suppose to go to (Howard) Smith, but Coach said if he’s covered just take the shot.”

Kemper County had chances in regulation, during the first overtime and double overtime to pull away, but couldn’t.

In regulation Forest’s Brian Bedney picked up a loose ball and then made a 3-point play with 23 seconds left that eventually sent the game to overtime tied at 55.

In the first overtime, Forest’s Howard Smith hit a jump shot with 47 seconds left that tied the game at 60.

“We are very fortunate tonight that we were able to get a couple of stops and make some big shots,” Forest coach Perry Fletcher said. “He (Letrevius) is the smartest guy on the team and has a will to win. In regulation, he missed a shot and then the free throws, so he was destined to make a big shot.”

Pinkston finished with 11 points, and Brian Bedney added 22 points for Forest (15-3, 4-0 Region 5-3A).

Besides the overtime drama, the two big men lived up to the hype and showed out for both teams.

Kemper County’s Matt Dale had a game-high 27 points, while Forest’s Howard Smith had 25 points to lead their schools, respectively.

“Matt Dale might be an offensive lineman and will play on Sundays, but he has great hands and great footwork for a guy that is 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds,” Fletcher said. “I told Howard that he’s got his work cut out for him, and I am glad he lived up to the challenge.”

 Gus Nave added 14 points for Kemper County, while Otis Cross chipped in 11 points for the Wildcats (12-7, 2-3).

“Heckuva game, but we led the whole game and blew it in the fourth quarter,” Kemper County coach John Alan Darnell said. “We turned the ball over twice in double overtime, but I am proud of the guys for fighting in a hostile environment.”

FOREST GIRLS 61,

KEMPER COUNTY 56

Nautica Moore had 13 points as the Lady Bearcats defeated the Lady Wildcats. Vantasia Duncan added 11 points for Forest (15-4, 3-1 Region 5-3A).

Kiandrea Cherry had 33 points to lead Kemper County (4-15, 0-5).