LITTLE ROCK — The Bryant Blue Hornets eighth grade team from Bethel Middle School improved to 2-0 on the season with a 35-28 win over Little Rock Episcopal in the first round of The Anthony School Invitational Tournament on Monday night.
In addition, the Bryant Blue seventh grade team earned a victory at Morrilton, 30-13.[more]
The eighth grade team built a 9-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. At the half, the margin was 20-17 but going into the fourth quarter Episcopal had forged a tie at 24.
The Hornets responded with their own surge at the end while holding Episcopal to just 4 points.
Garrett Phillips led the team in scoring with 9 points. Bryce Denker and Chase Christy added 7 and Trevor Ezell finished with 6.
“I was played with the balanced scoring,” commented Bryant Blue coach Derek McGrew. “We had an off night shooting but found a way to win.”The Hornets return to The Anthony School tonight at 5 to play the host team.
In the seventh grade game, Bryant Blue blew up a close game with a 13-0 blitz in the third quarter. They’d led just 5-4 after one period and trailed 9-7 at the half before taking control.
Jason Hastings and John Winn each had 9 points, Brandon Warner and Brushawn Hunter 4 apiece.
“I feel this is a very good group with lots of potential,” McGrew commented. “We are still trying to figure things out this early in the season. They play great man defense and have many capable scoring options.”
The seventh grade team returns to action tonight as well at home against Cabot South.
