LowcoSports.com
After two steals, two clutch free throws, and three bounces on the rim at the buzzer, Beaufort High’s boys basketball team escaped with a 55-54 win over visiting Whale Branch on Friday on Kirkland Court, capping off a hard-fought sweep for the Eagles.
Laron Wright’s baseline jumper at the buzzer bounced softly on the rim multiple times before falling off and allowing the Eagles to steal a win — literally — after trailing by one in the waning seconds.
Samari Bonds came up with a steal and hit the second of two free throws to tie it, then Amani Cleckley swiped the inbounds pass and went back to the line, hitting the second for a one-point advantage. The Eagles came up with another steal but were whistled for a travel, giving the Warriors one last shot.
Wright got a good look from the baseline, and it bounced on the rim multiple times but didn’t go down.
Bonds finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and four steals to lead the Eagles, while Naiim Pope added nine points, eight rebounds, and three steals, and Cleckley had nine points and six assists. Greggory Gilbert had 13 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks to lead Whale Branch, while Wright added 12 points and five boards, and Bradford Thompson contributed 12 points and six rebounds.
The thrilling win finished a sweep for the home team after Beaufort’s girls held on for a 30-25 win behind big games from Anaiya Houseal and Leiya Watson.
The Eagles were back in action Tuesday with the girls falling, 53-33, to May River and the boys claiming a 60-49 victory. The Whale Branch girls earned their first win, 29-22, at Battery Creek on Tuesday, with the Warriors finishing the sweep with a 56-51 win in the boys game.
