It was gameday in Beloit, and Coach Loudon's West Branch boys basketball team was eager to close out 2024 on a high note as they hosted a 3-1 South Range squad. After a tough loss to Boardman on December 23rd, the Warriors were determined to bounce back.
West Branch came out firing, quickly building an 18-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. The defense was relentless, swarming the Raiders and turning defensive plays into fast-break points. At that point, it looked like the Warriors might run away with it. However, South Range responded with a strong second quarter, outscoring West Branch 22-15 and cutting the deficit to 33-27 at halftime. In one of the game's highlights, Gavin Gregory electrified the crowd with a monster alley-oop, finishing off a perfect pass from Jeremiah Thomas.
The Raiders continued to chip away in the second half. They outscored the Warriors 14-8 in the third quarter, fueled by guard Luke Rohan, who caught fire for 8 points. Meanwhile, sloppy play from West Branch, including turnovers and missed opportunities, allowed South Range to take the lead.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Warriors fought hard to stay in the game, but turnovers and missed open looks hurt their chances. With just 0.4 seconds remaining, a perfectly designed play gave Cooper Anderson a clean look at the game-tying shot. Unfortunately, his lob attempt bounced off the rim, and the Raiders held on for a 54-52 victory.
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What's Next:Â With the loss, West Branch falls to 3-4 on the season. The Warriors will look to bounce back when they take on Alliance on Friday, January 3rd. Tip-off is set for 6:45 PM.
