PEARCY — The Bryant Blue Hornets eighth grade team of Bethel Middle School held their counterparts from Lake Hamilton to just 2 points in the third quarter and just 7 in the second half as they surged to a 29-23 victory on Tuesday night.
Cade Drennan scored 8 points including four in the fourth quarter to help the Hornets hang on. Kayleb West added 7 points. Ethan Hilkret finished with 6. Codi Kirby and Jonathan Hall scored 4 apiece.
The game was tied 10-10 after the first quarter with West connecting on a pair of 3-pointers. At halftime, Lake Hamilton held a 16-15 lead with Adjani Winston scoring all 9 of his team-high point in the first half for the Wolves.
Kirby knocked down a 3 during the third-quarter push by the Hornets. West added a free throw while Hall and Hilkret scored a bucket apiece as Bryant took a 23-18 lead.
Drennan hit two crucial free throws down the stretch and, later added a basket to go with one by Hilkret as the Hornets held on.
Bethel is set to wrap up the season at home against Conway White on Thursday, Feb. 11.