Diante Woodson and Sam Chumley combined for 26 points to lead the Bryant Blue Hornets[more] eighth grade team of Bethel Middle School to a 32-28 win over the Bryant White Hornets of Bryant Middle School at the Bethel gym on Tuesday night.
Matthew Sandidge, Mitchell Wollard and Jace Houston added 2 points each.
Bryant White was led by Tristan Calhoun with 11 points. Brandon Hill, Brooks Ellis and Grayson Prince pitched in with 4 each.
“This team is improving and I am very proud of their effort,” said Bryant Blue coach Derek McGrew. “Malcolm Moody did an excellent job of defense.”
Blue turned the tables on White with the win. When the teams met on Dec. 17, Bryant White eked out a 30-29 win.
“It is always nice to win this rivalry game and we felt we let it slip away last time out, losing in the final seconds,” McGrew said. “This team plays solid defense, works hard every day in practice, and has great attitudes.”
Blue grabbed a 7-3 lead by the end of the first quarter and held a 16-14 advantage at the half. It was 24-20 going into the fourth quarter.
"We really needed to do a better job of executing offensively," said Bryant White coach Heath Long. "There were times that we let them get loose in transition. We did get some turnovers out of our press and managed to fight back when we got down in the first half. However, we just could not manage to get in front."
Bryant Blue, now 7-5 on the season, returns to action on Monday, Jan. 28, at home against Lighthouse Charter School.
Bryant White is set to travel to Hot Springs Lakeside on Thursday, Jan. 24, before concluding its season at the Bryant High School gym on Jan. 31 against Lighthouse Charter.
