CANEY BAY — Brantley County split its final two games before heading into Christmas Break.
The Herons (8-2), off to their best start before Christmas since beginning 7-2 in 2017-18, lost for the second time in three games with visiting Wayne County, winners of four straight, using a big fourth quarter rally to notch a 5752 victory Tuesday, December 17. BCHS notched a 61-44 decision December 5 over the Yellow Jackets in Jesup.
Brantley County bounced back Friday, December 20 to turn back visiting Pierce County 5752. BCHS leads the series 14-11 since 2012-13. The two programs have split the previous two seasons. The largest margin of victory in the last eight games is eight points.
BCHS returns to action Friday, January 3 opening Region 1-A play at Fitzgerald. Region foe Bacon County visits Saturday, January 4.
Wayne County........57 Herons...................52
CANEY BAY — Wayne County outscored the Herons by 16 points over the final eight minutes to erase a 11-point deficit for the win.
Brantley County led the Yellow Jackets 45-34 entering the fourth period. Wayne County went on a 23-7 run in the final stanza to escape with the victory.
“We played hard, but our failure to execute in the fourth quarter led to the loss,” said BCHS head coach Tripp Herrin. “Wayne County played hard and kept pressure on us defensively.”
The Yellow Jackets grabbed a 14-12 first quarter advantage before Brantley County dominated the middle two quarters. The Herons outscored Wayne County 14-9 in the second period to take a 26-23 halftime lead.
BCHS pushed the margin to double digits by the end of the third stanza outscoring the Yellow Jackets 19-11 for a seemingly comfortable 45-34 advantage.
Tucker O’Quinn led the Herons with 21 points. Patrick O’Quinn (five rebounds) followed with 18 points.
Holton Depratter and Kent Thomas followed with four points and three points respectively. Jayden Simmons, Carson Jacobs and Courtlon Fuller each chipped in two points.
Herons...................57 Bears .....................52
CANEY BAY — Brantley County rallied from a seven-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter closing the game on a 17-5 run to knock off the Bears.
“This was big for us to get this one after letting one slip away Tuesday night against Wayne County,” said Herrin. “We made 17-of-20 free throws and that was huge for us. Down 47-40 in the fourth quarter, we started chipping away.
“This is a good win for our team going into the Christmas break. You can’t look at Pierce County’s record (2-7) because they (Bears) played so many games without their football players. Pierce has a good team.”
PCHS doubled up the Herons 12-6 in the first quarter. Brantley County cut the deficit to 23-21 by intermission outscoring the Bears 15-11 in the second period.
The two teams were knotted at 39-all through three periods after the Herons outscored PCHS 18-16. Following an 8-1 Bears’ start to the final stanza for a 47-40 lead, Brantley County went on a final run capping an 18-13 scoring advantage.
The O’Quinns led the way combining for 38 points. Patrick O’Quinn (two threes) scored a game-high 24 points with Tucker O’Quinn adding 14 points.
Hayden Stanley (trey, two charges at defensive end) and Depratter netted six points apiece. Jacobs contributed five points with Fuller chipping in two points.
Nigel Brown (four treys) paced PCHS with 16 points. Joe Drew followed with 13 points.
Ji’Kyese McGauley (two threes) and Gabe Varnadore (trey) each bagged six points. Ahmad Arnold and Brandon Williams finished with four points apiece. Trent Griffin (trey) added three points.
