Anytime you can go on the road and come away with a win, it's a solid victory – and that's exactly what the West Branch boys basketball team did last night. Facing a tough Beaver Local team that entered the game 8-2, the Warriors battled through a back-and-forth affair and earned a 58-55 victory.
Beaver Local came out strong, jumping to an early 14-8 lead in the first quarter, thanks in large part to their 6'7 center, Owen Hill, who set the tone for the Beavers with his dominant presence in the paint. However, West Branch refused to back down. The Warriors answered in the second quarter, outscoring the Beavers 14-12. Freshman Landon Coffee was a key contributor, scoring four points in the period, and the Warriors managed to narrow the deficit to just four points at halftime, trailing 26-22.
The third quarter was where the Warriors made their move. Camden Lane, who has been playing with increasing confidence and intensity, took charge offensively. Lane scored 9 of the Warriors 18 points in the quarter, helping West Branch flip the script and turn their four-point deficit into a 40-36 lead heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter was a test of composure, with several players stepping up when it mattered most. Zach Coffee, Jeremiah Thomas, and Camden Lane all contributed key plays down the stretch. However, a controversial moment left the Warrior fans holding their breath. With just over six seconds remaining, Jeremiah Thomas was fouled and would head to the free-throw line. With just over six seconds remaining, Jeremiah Thomas was fouled and would head to the free-throw line. However, the clock operator started the clock late and later admitted that the correct time should have been just under four seconds.
Despite this, the referee instructed the clock to be reset to 5.1 seconds. Thomas stayed calm, stepping up to the line and drilling both free throws, giving the Warriors a three-point lead. Beaver Local still had time to tie the game, and they got off a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer, but it fell short, securing the 58-55 victory for West Branch.
Top Performers:
- Camden Lane: Led the Warriors with 17 points, providing a key offensive spark in the second half.
- Jeremiah Thomas: Scored 11 points and was perfect at the free-throw line, going 5-for-5.
- Zach Coffee: Contributed with 7 points, a blocked shot, and several key rebounds.
- Cooper Anderson: Added 8 points, stepping up to provide valuable scoring support.
What's Next: West Branch improves to 5-8 on the season with the win and will travel to Minerva this Friday. The Warriors will look to avenge an earlier loss to the Lions, with the game set to tip off at 6:45 PM.
