WEAVERVILLE — The Freedom boys basketball team saw action in perhaps the most thrilling contest for any Burke County prep squad so far this season and came away with an eye-popping victory.
The Patriots traveled to North Buncombe and came away with a 97-95 win in overtime, securing a season sweep of the Blackhawks in the process after FHS defeated North Buncombe 83-57 on Nov. 26 in Â鶹´«Ã½.
Freedom (7-1) led after each of the first three periods, 26-23, 46-42 and 68-59, but the Blackhawks put together a 28-19 fourth quarter to knot things up at 87-87 and force the extra period, which saw the Patriots battle to a 10-8 advantage and the two-point win.
“(North Buncombe) executed really well down the stretch,†said FHS coach Clint Zimmerman. “They had three guys who played really, really well all night. It was a tough environment. They had a really good student section. We just were just able to pull one out and find a way to win one.
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“So, I’m very proud of our guys. They were tough down the stretch and played together and came out of there with a win.â€
The Patriots’ leading scorers were Amore Connelly (25 points), Kobe Johnson (23), King Johnson (17) and Ke’Andre Davis (12). But Zimmerman gave the most praise to some of the team’s unsung heroes.
“A win on the road at any time is a big win,†Zimmerman said. “But to be able to do it in overtime, we had so many different guys contribute tonight. Kris Creekmore played his best game of his career. He didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he played his best game of his career. Ian Clark was really big for us off the bench. Jonah Griggs played really well for us off the bench. Kaden Davis was really, really tough down the stretch for us.
“Then, King, Kobe and Amore were able to score because those other guys did such a good job of being stars in their role.â€
The rest of Freedom’s scoring came from Amare Williams (five points), Clark (four), Kaden Davis (four), Braxton King (three), Creekmore (two) and Griggs (two).
FHS still has just one loss heading into Tuesday’s rivalry rematch at home versus East Burke, a game that will be followed by the Patriots’ Christmas tournament, the holiday break and the Northwestern 3A/4A Conference-opener at Hibriten on Jan. 10.
“It’s still just day-by-day,†Zimmerman said. “It’s still really early. I’m proud of our toughness tonight. I wish we had maybe done a little bit better job defensively early, but I’m proud of our toughness.â€
The Blackhawks were led by Trent Clark’s game-high 34 points, along with 24 from Matthew Ledford and 20 from Cole Edmonds.
Maiden 75, East Burke 65
The Cavaliers (5-3, 0-1 Catawba Valley 2A Conf.) fell in their conference-opener on the road in Maiden on Friday night.
EBHS led 18-16 after the first quarter, but fell behind 38-26 by halftime and 59-48 by the end of the third period before the host Blue Devils closed out their 10-point win by surrendering just a 17-16 advantage to the visitors during the final frame.
Four Cavs finished in double figures, including Owen Hartmann (14 points), Cannon Morrison (13), Dautry Ragle (13) and Luke Demiter (11). The remainder of East Burke’s offensive output came from Jay Dixon (seven points), Barger Shook (four) and Carter Bennett (three).
GIRLS
East Burke 74, Maiden 69
The Lady Cavaliers (8-0, 1-0 CVAC) were pushed in their conference-opener, but were able to hold on for a victory on the road in Maiden on Friday evening.
EBHS led just 18-17 after a quarter, 38-33 at halftime and 52-50 following the third period, but a 22-19 advantage across the final 8 minutes was enough to secure a five-point victory.
Braelyn Stilwell tallied a game-high 32 points for EB, which also received 16 points from Kara Brinkley. Additional scoring came from Addi Brittain (nine points), Journi McDowell (five), Addison Sisk (four), Kendall McFalls (three) and Maci McNeil (three).
The previously-undefeated Lady Blue Devils were led by Khiara Culliver (28 points), Amelia Beal (11) and Neeley Campbell (10).
North Buncombe 51, Freedom 45
The Lady Patriots (5-4) saw their three-game winning streak snapped with a nonconference loss on the road in Weaverville on Friday evening, suffering a season sweep at the hands of the Lady Blackhawks after a 52-33 loss in Â鶹´«Ã½ on Nov. 26.
In Friday’s contest, FHS’ deficit was 16-4, 25-19 and 35-33 after the first three periods, then North Buncombe sealed the win by leading the fourth quarter 16-12 to win by six points.
Peyton Caldwell led the way for Freedom with 24 points. Also scoring for the visitors were Cynica Caldwell (eight points), Kaitlyn Hagmann (seven), Alayhia Bates (two), Ava Cooke (two) and Haven Gladden (two).
The Lady Blackhawks had three double-digit scorers in Olivia Stowe (13 points), Aubrey Gilliland (12) and Kadence Penley (11).
