Fans overflowed from Central Coosa’s bleachers and into the spaces under both baskets.
The Cougars had gone from down seven to up two in the fourth quarter, and now the masses, packed like sardines, were looking for a reason to send the gym’s roof skyward.

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Quez Thompson shoots a free throw during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Za'Corrioni Milliner goes for a layup during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Za'Corrion Milliner jukes an opponent during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Christophyer Foster looks to pass during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Za'Corrion Milliner goes for the basket during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Quez Thompson shoots a three during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Quez Thompson and Kolby Hand celebrate during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Jeremy Freeman argues with referees during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Benjamin Russell during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Quez Thompson and Chris Foster celebrate after Thompson hit a three during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Celebrations during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]

PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Quez Thompson shoots a free throw during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Za'Corrioni Milliner goes for a layup during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Za'Corrion Milliner jukes an opponent during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Christophyer Foster looks to pass during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Za'Corrion Milliner goes for the basket during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Quez Thompson shoots a three during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Quez Thompson and Kolby Hand celebrate during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Jeremy Freeman argues with referees during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Benjamin Russell during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Quez Thompson and Chris Foster celebrate after Thompson hit a three during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
Celebrations during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]
PHOTOS: Benjamin Russell basketball at Central Coosa
- Andy Anders
during the AHSAA basketball game between Benjamin Russell Wildcats and the Central Coosa Cougars at Central of Coosa County High School in Rockford, Ala on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Andy Anders]