COURTLAND
It was the famed “Back Yard Brawl on the Hard Courts” at its best format played in the Southampton County High School gym on Friday. With the gym packed to near capacity, all records past and present in any sport between the two rival schools were thrown away for the game of the day between the Southampton County High School Indians and the Franklin High School Broncos.

In the game played in December, the Indians got away in overtime with a win in the final seconds of the game. But this time, it reversed and the Broncos and their fans were able to jump and celebrate as they pulled off a 55-52 win in the final seconds.

The Indians jumped out quick and fast to an early lead in the game. Jaylon Woodley connected on a 3-point basket and, combined with Dale Vick, helped to obtain a 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Indians pushed their lead to 21-11 at the 5:57 mark in the quarter. Fighting back, the Broncos’ Malik Haley connected on two 3-point baskets; however, by the 3:36 mark they were down 16-23. At the buzzer, Drelyn Ford hit a 3-pointer to end the quarter with the Indians up 27-24.

After the half, the Indians were still in control and at points seemed to be slowing the ball down, ending the third quarter up 41-33.

Entering the final quarter of the game, the Indians were still slowing the game down and at times seemed to be in a four-corner offense. The Indians’ defense had been successful in also slowing down the scoring of Drelyn Ford. But through it all, he came to life in the fourth quarter hitting shot after shot.

Finally, with 1:24 left on the clock, Ford dropped in a 3-pointer to tie the score at 52 all. The score remained tied, and with :16 left in the game, the Broncos had the ball and a time out. With the chance for victory so close, the ball was passed to Ford, who made his move and scored with the go-away basket. The Indians quickly taking the ball out, threw a long pass down court that was picked off by Malik Haley. Haley was quickly fouled, and with :01 on the clock, had a trip to the foul line with two shots. Missing the first one, Haley connected on the second to seal the win with a score of 55-52.

Franklin High School Broncos head coach Robby Cutchins said afterward, “Another great basketball game between two quality programs. My hat’s off to Coach Bailey and his staff as their kids fought extremely hard. He’s got a great group. I didn’t expect anything less at the end of the day. When these two teams get together you can throw everything out the window. It felt like it became more like a chess match tonight with the big shots after big shots, and sometimes that the way that it goes.

“But my kids did a great job and I am so proud of them as they battled adversity again tonight. I told them five loses this year have been by three points or less, and I told them if it’s three points or less they were going to win this game tonight. I promised them that and they believed and, fortunately, it worked out in our favor.”

In scoring the Broncos had three players in double figures. Drelyn Ford led with 21 points, followed by Malik Haley with 16 points and Rasean Rawlings with 10 points. 

The Indians they had two players in double figures. They were led by Shamon Reid-Wilkerson with 15 points, and Dale Vick with 14 points.