NORCROSS, GA - For an entire week the Hillgrove High basketball team talked about never giving up.

The Hawks put those words to action during the fifth annual GAC/Blue Collar Basketball Showcase. Hillgrove got a critical steal in the waning seconds to beat Cartersville 71-70 at Greater Atlanta Christian on Saturday.

“We had to have a mentality to never give up,” Hawks coach Edward Morris said. “They just kept fighting. We got a little lucky.”

Hillgrove (5-1) challenged former college coach Jim Valvano since it was Jimmy V week on ESPN; Morris talked to his team about playing until the final whistle and leaving everything on the floor.

Trailing by one-point, the Hawks got a steal in the corner from BJ Brown with :09 seconds to play. The unsigned senior picked off a pass and drove to the basket before being fouled. He nailed both free throws to seal the game.

“We refused to lose,” said Brown, who finished with 24 points. “We talked about being patient and to not get rattled. We’ve been here before.”

Hillgrove, which was runner-up in the AAAAAAA state championship a year ago, went on a 12-4 run in the final minute of the extra period. The Hawks defense was relentless and force Cartersville into a quicker pace of the game late.

“We made some empty trips,” Purple Hurricanes coach Mike Torbin said. “I was proud of the way we fought back.”

Cartersville (4-1) got off to a slow start in the first half and found itself in a hole. It also did not have an answer for Columbia signee Kyle Castlin. The senior guard was just too much to handle. He got to the basket with ease and was active on both ends of the floor. His effort helped the Hawks take a 36-27 at halftime.

The Canes, however, never gave up. They chipped away at the score and found opportunities to make plays when it needed them from seniors AJ Mosby, Corey Tobin and Ryan Davis. Mosely was active around the rim and getting to the basket. He helped the Canes push back into the game and scored a team-high 19 points. Davis’ defense helped put some pressure on Hillgrove. He also found an open Tobin for some timely three-pointers. Davis finished with 18 points, while Tobin chipped in with 16. Their production helped send the game into overtime before Catlin and Brown sealed it.

Castlin finished with a game-high 29 points.

“I’m fortunate to coach a kid like him,” Morris said.