The South Greene boys basketball team took all they could handle from West Greene in the first half on Tuesday night, but a second-half surge propelled the Rebels to an important 60-49 win.
At the half the Rebels trailed by 13 points, but led by Chandler Gamble South Greene tripled its offensive production in the second half to pull away for crucial win in District 1-2A play.
“We had to have a little conversation at halftime and remind then what tonight meant,” South Greene coach Terry Hoese said. “We changed defense in the second half and that gave us an opportunity to get back in it. I attribute the comeback to defense and crashing the boards. That let us get the offense going.”
With Tuesday’s win South Greene improves to 2-1 in league play and preserved its chance to win a league championship. West Greene is now 2-1 against District 1-2A opponents.
“West Greene has a good team, and if we would have lost this one it would have been because they can play,” Hoese said. “But the last thing I said before going out to the second half, was that tonight could be for a district championship. You have to win your home games, and steal some on the road to win this district. West Greene is good enough to beat Hampton, and if we can knock Hampton off here that gives us a chance to get back in this thing.”
The Rebels entered the second half trailing 28-15, but a new intensity on defense and massive uptick in offensive production led to South Greene outscoring the Buffaloes 25-5 in the third quarter.
Gamble got things started with a defensive rebound that he took the length of the floor. He then came up with a pair of steals that set up Cayden Fillers and Charlie Lane for layups that closed the gap to 30-24.
With 3:58 left in the period Fillers powered home a shot from the block that closed the gap to 30-28. He was fouled on the play, but his free throw clanged out. Gamble grabbed the rebound and put it back through the iron to even the score at 30-30.
Gamble was not done there as he scored on another put back and then after a steal by Trey Gentry he knocked down a three-pointer that put South Greene in front 35-30.
Gamble led all scorers on Tuesday with 28 points, 20 of them came in the second half.
“Chandler really crashed the boards and got in the paint where we needed him in the second half,” Hoese said. “We needed him shooting easy shots on the block and grabbing offensive rebounds. When he shows up he can be the best athlete on the floor every night. And if he continues to do that we are going to be a tough team.”
As the third-quarter horn sounded Gentry hit from long range to put South Greene on top 40-33.
South Greene’s lead continued to grow in the fourth quarter and when Gentry took a long rebound the length of the floor the Rebels led 50-39 with 4:57 left to play.
The teams traded shots to the finish, but West Greene got no closer than eight points as the Rebels took a 60-49 victory.
Tuesday’s action started in stark contrast from how it ended with West Greene jumping in front and controlling much of the early action. The Buffaloes took the lead at 5-2 when Elijah Williams knocked down a three-pointer from the right wing.
West Greene got two more three-pointers from Braden McCamey and one from Ayden Lamons to give it a 14-6 lead at the close of the first quarter.
West Greene’s lead quickly moved 19-6 after Williams hit from deep again and Sam Wisecarver went under the rim for a reverse. Williams added four more points and McCamey knocked down his third three-pointer of the first half as the Buffs went to the break leading 28-15.
McCamey finished the night with 17 points and Williams scored 14 points for West Greene.
Gentry was in double figures for South Greene with 13 points.
