by Frank A. Davis

COURTLAND
The Southampton High School Indians took game two in the basketball, “Back Yard Brawl on the Hard Courts,” which was played at the Southampton High School gym on Monday with a score of 68-58.

But it wasn’t as easy as the December game played at the Peggy Wilkins Gym in Franklin High School where the Indians sailed to an easy 50-77 win over the Broncos.

Franklin jumped out front in the early minutes with a 4-0 lead. But before the first quarter would end with the home team ahead 9-8, there were five lead changes.

The Broncos took control in the second quarter and at one point went ahead with a 3-point lead. With :27 remaining in the first half, the Indians squeezed ahead, 21-20. A 3-point shot by Bronco Kalil Thomas at the buzzer put the visiting Broncos up 23-21 for the half.

Opening play in the second half, the home team took a quick 26-23 lead over the Broncos. Indian Shamon Reid-Wilkerson expanded the lead by hitting a 3-point shot to increase the lead to 29-23. Late in the quarter, Bronco Dajon Fraqier pulled off a steal and scored on a layup to tie the score again at 41 all. Fraqier fouled on the shot, but connected on the free throw to put the Broncos up 42-41. Reid-Wilkerson closed the third quarter in hitting his third of the quarter 3-point baskets to put the home team back up 46-44.

Entering the final quarter of the game, the Broncos tied the game again at 46 all. The Indians edged back ahead and held the lead until the Broncos tied it again at 55 all with 3:32 left on the clock. With one minute remaining in the game, the Indians held a 61-56 lead. The Broncos fired a series of shots but could not connect on any as the home team held to achieve victory over the Broncos.

“Adversity, We talked about it all year, but these kids worked hard,” Broncos head coach Robby Cutchins remarked after the game. “I thought they played an outstanding ball game tonight. We had it to three points with about a minute to play. We had three good looks, probably could have taken the easy look but instead they were open shots, but none of them fell. I am proud of my guys for holding their heads up and keeping on fighting.”

Southampton County High School Indians head coach Sharone Bailey commented after the game, “It was a hard-fought game. Franklin came in here tonight well prepared. Their coach had them ready to roll. I am proud of my guys. We got off to a slow start, had to fight all night, but we fought our way out to a good victory.”

In scoring the Broncos had three players in double figures: Both Deuntae Jefferson and Kalil Thomas had 13 points apiece and Drelyn Ford had 12 points, with 12 points.

The Indians had three players in double figures: They were led by Kee-Sean Carr with 21 points, followed by Shamon Reid-Wilkerson with 16 points and Darius Bell with 12 points.