The Long County High School boys came from behind Tuesday to beat Benedictine Military School, 59-57.
The Blue Tide jumped out to an early 12-10 lead in the home game, but in the second period the Cadets outscored Ludowici 15-8 to end the half up 25-20. In the third period, both teams played evenly. Benedictine led 39-35 with eight minutes to play. In the fourth quarter, both teams fought and with 26 seconds left, BC led 57-53.
The Blue Tide’s Josh Berry put up a long 3-point attempt and a Cadet hit his wrist. The ball bounced off the rim. Berry, a senior, converted all three shots to narrow the Tide’s deficit.
Benedictine quickly turned the ball over. Long County’s Jamaal Anderson took the ball the length of the court and nailed a lay-up. As he did, a Cadet slapped his hand, but the foul didn’t keep the ball from dropping through the net. Anderson then put in the free-throw and with nine seconds left, Long County led 59-57.
The Cadets still had time for a miracle. As the Savannah team took the ball down the court a player shot at the buzzer, but the ball bounced off the rim.
The leading scorer for the Blue Tide was David Gilmore with 19 points. Also scoring in double digits were Berry with 17 points and Anderson, who had 13.
“It was a great game,” Blue Tide coach Deshone Brock said. “The kids battled hard and did exactly what I asked them to do… In the first half, the shots were just not falling, but I told them to keep shooting.”
Brock said he saw good and bad in his players early in the season.
“I like our team chemistry. When one of our guys may not be playing well or makes a mistake, the kids continue to pick each other up. They’re always positive.
“As for a weakness, it’s our rebounding. We definitely have to work on it. If a team comes in here and out rebounds us, they will beat us.”
The region win improved Long County’s overall record to 1-2 and its 2B-AA Sub-Region record to 1-0. The Blue Tide is back on the court tonight facing Jeff Davis High School (1-1) in Ludowici. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.