Beloit OH - After winning three straight games, the West Branch boys basketball team entered their matchup against Boardman with high confidence. However, in a game filled with dramatic momentum shifts, the Spartans narrowly edged out the Warriors, 64-59.
Boardman came out strong, with Jase Varley leading the way, scoring 10 points in the first quarter to help the Spartans build an early 18-12 lead. That advantage grew to 24-12, but the Warriors responded by tightening up defensively and gaining momentum. Following a timeout, Coach Loudon's squad went on a 19-7 run, capped by a three-point play from Jeremiah Thomas at the buzzer to tie the game at 31-31 heading into halftime.
The third quarter saw Boardman regain control, much like the opening period. The Spartans capitalized on West Branch turnovers and hit key shots, pushing their lead to 50-40. However, the Warriors refused to back down.
In the final quarter, they leaned on Gavin Gregory, who delivered 10 points to help his team battle back. Cooper Anderson contributed with four crucial free throws, and the Warriors continued to apply pressure defensively, forcing turnovers and narrowing the deficit to just two points.
With less than a minute to go, Boardman extended their lead to three with a free throw. Camden Lane had a good look at a potential game-tying three-pointer, but his shot came up short, and moments later, Varley sealed the win for Boardman by knocking down two crucial free throws.
Top Performers:
- Gavin Gregory was dominant, scoring 19 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.
- Cooper Anderson finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 made free throws.
- Jeremiah Thomas had a solid performance, finishing with 10 points, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block
What's Next:Â West Branch will return to action on December 27th, hosting South Range at home. Tip-off is slated for 6:45 PM.
