The Bryant Blue Hornets eighth grade team of Bethel Middle School broke open a close game with a 15-4 run in the third quarter on their way to a 42-21 win over The Anthony School on Monday night. The win improved the Hornets to 8-1 on the season.
Bryant also won a seventh-grade game, 47-17, to improve to 6-0.[more]
Both teams completed their pre-Christmas schedule with the games. The eighth grade team is scheduled to return to action at Cabot South on Thursday, Jan. 7. The next outing for the seventh grade team will be Jan. 12, at home against Lake Hamilton.
Trevor Ezell led the eighth grade Hornets with 11 points, one of 10 players to contribute to the scoring of the 14 that played. Chase Christy added 8, Bryce Denker and Dakota Besancon 5 each and Chase Thornton 4.
“We struggled offensively in the first half,” said Hornets coach Derek McGrew. “The game was back and forth.”
Anthony School led 9-8 after a quarter but Bryant held a 17-13 lead at intermission.
“At halftime, I challenged the team to step up the intensity and they responded,” McGrew related. “Anthony was only able to score in the last 30 seconds of the quarter.
“I was pleased with the play of Trevor Ezell,” he continued. “He has scored double figure points now in back to back games.
“It was great to be able to play all the boys on the team,” McGrew added. “I really appreciate every boy on this team and wish I could play them all every game. This team has great chemistry, character and integrity.”
In the seventh grade game, the Hornets dashed to an 8-2 lead by the end of the first quarter and held a 25-14 lead at the half. It was 39-15 going into the third quarter.
“We missed numerous scoring opportunities in the first half,” McGrew said. “We came out in the third quarter and played better. I was real pleased with our full-court defense.”
Mark Winn led the team with 8 points. Brushawn Hunter and John Winn added 7 each, Brandon Warner 6 and Dylan Wolf 4.
“Ten of the 15 boys scored and the scoring was balanced,” noted the coach. “John Winn is our leading scorer this year so far but his twin Mark played really well. He understands the game.”
