A first-quarter lapse against a team that has won six straight state championship games cost the Bruton boys basketball team, losing to Brunswick High 58-52 on the road Saturday.
Coach Joe Dillard said his Panthers (11-2), who entered the game ranked No. 1 in Virginia Preps’ latest 2A state poll, put in a great effort overall but fell behind early after rushing their offense and shooting poorly. They managed to make it a 23-19 game at the half, however, as their defensive energy helped keep the host Bulldogs, ranked No. 2 in the latest 2A poll, from racing out to a double-digit advantage.
Bruton fell behind by as many as eight points in the second half, but used a quick 5-0 run late in the fourth quarter to pull within two, 52-50. Dillard said a big moment came in the final minute of regulation when, with his team still down by two, the Panthers forced a turnover but gave it right back on the other end. Brunswick would convert and go up four and make its free throws down the final stretch.
“Instead of tying the game, it was a four-point swing in their favor,” Dillard said. “You have to convert those opportunities in big games like these. We made some nice strides to get back in it, but between missed layups [eight] and missed free throws [nine]. We hurt ourselves too much.”
Marcus Carter led all scorers with 18 points, but was one of the few bright spots on a Bruton offense that struggled to put the ball in the hoop all night.
Dillard said he is not concerned with whether his team will or should lose its No. 1 ranking in the next state poll.
“This is still a positive,” Dillard said of the loss. “We needed to face this adversity; it was a big game in an unfamiliar environment. You don’t want to go into [postseason play] untested and be in a win-or-go-home situation. We’ll build on this, learn from it and be better next time.”
Grafton Boys, Girls Beat North Carolina Foe in Weekend Showcase
Competing in the Bulldog Showcase hosted by King’s Fork High, Grafton’s boys and girls basketball teams each defeated Hertford County of North Carolina on Saturday.
Joey Miller scored 27 points and pulled down seven rebounds as Grafton’s boys team held off a late Hertford rally to win 63-57. Preston Kiedinger knocked down four 3-pointers to finish with 12 point for the Clippers, who improved to 13-2 on the season with the victory.
The lady Clippers, who led 26-2 after one quarter, had a much easier time en route to a 91-40 rout.
Olivia Wilson finished with an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double and Hannah Olson scored a game-high 22 points to go along with six rebounds and six steals for Grafton, which built a 53-11 lead and cruised. Like the boys, they improved to their record to 13-2 with the win.
HRA Gils Run Away From Isle of Wight Early
Braysia Hicks poured in a game-high 29 points, Rachel Lia added 17 and Alyssia Velez chipped in with 10 as Hampton Roads Academy’s girls basketball team jumped out to a 44-17 lead at intermission before winning 74-48. The Navigators improved to 8-3 (2-0 TCIS) on the season with the victory and return to Tidewater Conference play Tuesday when they host Bishop Sullivan Catholic.
Local Wrestlers Excel at Rum Rumble
Click here to read a recap, scroll through a photo gallery and watch a video of local wrestlers competing in the championship bouts at the 16th annual Ram Rumble held Friday and Saturday at Lafayette High.
