ATLANTA, GA -- In post-season play, every bucket truly matters. For W.D. Mohammed, it was a matter of hitting a pair of free throws in the closing seconds that meant the difference of the state tournament and the end of the season.

W.D. senior Muhammad Hamilton toed the free throw line with the game tied and calmly sank both free throws to seal the 58-56 in the Region 5-A tournament. Hamilton was fouled by Mount Vernon 35 feet away from the basket.

"We stuck together and we executed the plays coach drew up for us," Hamilton said.

In this one, the game would come down to whoever had the ball in the final seconds. W.D. did and the Caliphs proved to be the victors. Hamilton, a Tuskegee University signee, scored 19 points and scored at will around the rim. He was clutch when it mattered. He also had a little help from his friends.

Freshman Nygel Blake pumped in 20 points and was big with a pull-up three-pointer and a pair of clutch free throws in the final minute of play. Blake was big when it mattered.

"I think we are a tight-knit group. We hang together. Our fight, our overall will, our fans. Everything was going for us," Blake said.

Mount Vernon wasn't going away easily though. Freshman Darius Perry confidently drilled a three-pointer from the top of the key to tie the game at 56 with 26 seconds left to play. He was clutch throughout, finishing with 17 points.

Mount Vernon finished the season 3-3 over the last six games after going 17-2 in the first 19 games. In their prior match-up, Mount Vernon won  55-28.

Blake said the tournament upset came at the perfect time.

"Our confidence is through the roof right now," Blake said.

Hard to argue with that.