Gamecocks use big third quarter to power to win against Ariton

A big third quarter helped the New Brockton boys basketball team to a 63-50 victory Jan. 30 against Ariton.

NBHS was aggressive on the glass and shot the ball well in the frame.

"That was the difference in the ball game," New Brockton basketball coach Anthony Carter said. "(It was a) sluggish first half. We came back in the second half and the first group responded. I was proud of the effort, and proud of the ability to finally extend a lead."

The Gamecocks led 28-22 at halftime, and Ariton cut its deficit to three before NBHS went on a 7-0 run which included a 3-pointer from Max Weeks.

The streak opened up a 35-25 Gamecock lead. Anthony Carter said NBHS turned up its intensity and changed its defense.

"They really got into it," he said. "They started playing a lot harder. (New Brockton assistants) Coach (Eric) Reynolds and Coach (Josh) Moguel asked me to change the defense. I looked at it and realized I hadn’t run 1-3 against them. That was the difference. They were beating us to the middle so we made that adjustment. Billy (McKenna) came in and played really well at the top in our 1-3-1 because he’s so active. That helped a whole lot."

Ariton drew to within 35-28 before back-to-back 3s from Weeks and Karl White gave New Brockton more breathing room.

Another 3 from Weeks later in the quarter opened up a 44-29 lead, and another put the Gamecocks up 49-30 late in the frame.

Weeks also tipped in a follow at the buzzer, and New Brockton had a 52-32 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

"We had a small lead and they extended it to 20 points," Anthony Carter said. "(They were) able to come back and hold them off right there at the end."

Ariton started the fourth on a 6-2 run, but New Brockton eventually reclaimed its 20-point margin at 58-38.

The Purple Cats knocked down several shots from the free-throw line and hit a 3 to draw within 58-48 but could draw no closer.

"At one point, they controlled the boards," Anthony Carter said of the fourth quarter. "They got (about) five or six rebounds in a row. We made some subs, and we were able to come back and hold them off."

Taylor Nix-Carter hit a free throw late and Weeks dunked at the buzzer to give the Gamecocks their 13-point margin.

Weeks led NBHS with 25 points, and DT Adams followed with 17. Caleb Griffin added nine.

The game was closer in the early going.

"We had a slow start Friday night against Elba, and we came back and did the same thing tonight," Anthony Carter said. "Caleb Griffin…played really well for us. He shot the ball well, rebounded and there was a time he had to run point for us tonight. I was proud of his effort and the way he played."

The lead changed hands four times in the first quarter.

Ariton had a 14-13 edge when the second frame began, and started it on a 6-2 run.

Griffin hit a shot to end the streak and start a 13-2 Gamecock run, which gave NBHS a 28-22 lead at the half after a late 3-pointer from Griffin.

Lady Gamecocks lose

Makinna Gray scored the first basket of the game to give NBHS a 2-0 edge before Ariton went on a 17-0 run and finished the frame with a 17-2 lead.

The Purple Cats started the second quarter with six consecutive points before Gray scored the Lady Gamecocks' next basket.

Ariton scored three more points in the frame, and led 26-4 at the half.

The Purple Cats scored the first eighth points of the third quarter and Paula McKenna stopped the run with a basket to cut the deficit to 34-6.

Ariton went on a 5-0 run, which was stopped by two Brandi Donaldson free throws with 2:50 left in the third quarter.

Ariton scored again, and led 41-8 at the end of three frames.

Ariton scored four more points in the fourth quarter and didn't allow any to seal the win.

Gray led the Lady Gamecocks with four points. McKenna and Donaldson each had two.