SAVANNAH - As the old saying goes, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. In a winless season thus far for BCHS basketball, however, a one-point loss may have just meant something.
This past Friday, the Bryan County boys basketball team lost to region foe Calvary 77-78 in a wild contest at the Cavalier gym. The winless Redskin roundball team will no doubt use this loss to gain some positive momentum as they head into the second half of the basketball season.
Trailing by 17 at the half, and by 21 after three quarters, the Bryan County guys, whom had trailed the entire contest, found a second gear and cranked up a finish that had all fans on the edge of their seats.
"We found a way to turn on the switch tonight to mount a comeback, but we just need to find a way to keep that switch turned on for four consecutive quarters," Coach Keith Bazemore said. "If we do that, we will win some ballgames."
Most of the Redskin comeback was due to a tenacious defensive effort that produced 31 turnovers, with most occurring in the second half, that nearly did the Cavaliers in for the evening.
Bryan County scored 40 of their 77 points in the fourth quarter alone, with 22 of those points coming in the last 2 1/2 minutes of the game.
"We got some timely 3-point shooting down the stretch to go along with our tremendous defensive pressure, and that pulled us close at the end," Bazemore said. "We just have to find some consistency in our play. Our energy was elevated going into the second half and that was the difference in the comeback."
Bryan County was led by Willie Deloach, who poured in 27 points. Ivey Mutcherson added 18 of his own and Justin Harrison contributed an additional 14 points, but the entire defensive play seemed to make the difference in this moral victory for the never say die Bryan County boys basketball squad.
Coach Mario Mincey and his Lady Redskins didn’t fair so well this night. The girls lost their contest 59-21 as they continue to use this season to gain experience for the next couple of years ahead.
The leading scorers for the Lady Skins were Samantha Howard with 6 points. Tara Miles and Brittany Slater each added 5 points to lead the offensive scoring for Bryan County.
Both the boys and girls Redskins will be in action at home Jan. 11 against Savannah Country Day, following a midweek contest against Claxton.