With both teams getting close to finishing up their first trip through region play, Boiling Springs and Byrnes both knew that the result of their game could be the key into deciding playoff spots at the end of the season and on Friday night the Bulldogs were able to escape Duncan with a 54-51 overtime victory. The Bulldogs (9-6, 1-3) were able to defeat the Rebels (8-7, 0-3) behind clutch efforts from senior Mikail Coleman, who scored eleven of his game high 21 points in the fourth quarter, and from sophomore Zach Baldinelli who also scored 11 points in the win.
The game started out as a low scoring affair as the Bulldogs led the Rebels 13-9 at the end of the first quarter. Boiling Springs jumped out to an early 11-0 lead midway through the first quarter but Byrnes’ senior Hayden Brown scored seven of his teams’ nine points in the first quarter to bring the Rebels back into contention. When asked about his team’s early advantage in the first quarter Boiling Springs head coach Hal McManus said, “We knew when we got up there early in the first that those guys weren’t going to just lay down, they are a state championship winning program and Layne does a great job with those guys. We knew those guys would make a run and that we had to withstand that when it happened.” The game would continue in the same fashion as it started throughout the second quarter as both teams battled and sent the game into halftime at 18-18. With both teams knowing what was on the line in this game it was only fitting that after battling to a halftime tie, that the third quarter would also end with a tie at 31-31. In the fourth quarter the Bulldogs were led by Coleman as he scored eleven of the team’s seventeen points while Brown led the way for the Rebels scoring five in the last quarter and sending the game into overtime. When the game reached overtime, the Bulldogs entered the period without its two leading scorers as Coleman and Baldinelli both had five fouls. It was key free throw shooting in the final four minutes of the game from junior Malachi Brooks and sophomores Chance Guest and Trayson Fowler as they scored all six of the Bulldogs’ overtime points from the charity stripe. With just over eight seconds to go in overtime the Rebels had one last chance to tie the game but a Brown three point attempt just missed as the horn sounded giving the Bulldogs a 54-51 victory. When asked about the production of his team after its two leading scorers had fouled out Coach McManus stated, “It was really big, those kids were ready to step up and help their team win.” When asked how this win will impact his team going forward with it being such a young team McManus added, “We’ve lost some close games this year and our guys are really learning who they are. A lot of wins and losses depend on your confidence going into a game and they saw tonight they can overcome adversity and I don’t believe it can be anything but positive.” Byrnes head coach Layne Fowler after the game said about his team’s performance, “We had a lot of missed opportunities early including getting down 11-0 to start the game. I’ve got to give it to (Boiling Springs) because they took advantage of those opportunities and just wanted it more than we did tonight.” Boiling Springs will continue their season on Tuesday night as they take on out of region opponent Clover at home. The Rebels will look to get their first win in region play next Tuesday as they travel to Spartanburg. Girls Game The Lady Rebels were able to capture a 53-37 victory over the Lady Bulldogs in a matchup of previously ranked top ten programs. The Lady Rebels were led by Taylor Guthrie who scored 19 points. The Lady Bulldogs were led by Caroline Reese who had 18 points and Deja Pilgrim who scored 14 points. |
Our Sponsors
If you would like to join us as a sponsor please contact us at: [email protected]
Archives
October 2023
Categories |