Carrollton, OH -- After knocking off the previously unbeaten Crestwood on Tuesday, the West Branch basketball team was eager to get back on the court for their road matchup against Carrollton, who sits atop the EBC standings.
Carrollton, known for their sharp shooting, came out firing early, hitting three three-pointers in the first quarter. Despite their hot start, West Branch kept pace, trailing just 14-10 after one. The second quarter saw the Warriors bounce back, with a pair of three-pointers and a solid effort inside from Gavin Gregory. Known for his presence in the paint, Gregory scored four points and helped close the gap. By halftime, the Warriors had trimmed the deficit to just 24-22, gaining momentum as they headed into the break.
The Warriors aimed to carry that momentum into the second half, but they've had trouble at times this season with offensive consistency, and that issue resurfaced in the third quarter. Though open shots were available, nothing seemed to fall as Carrollton capitalized, outscoring West Branch 13-5 and building a cushion heading into the final frame.
In the fourth, Coach Loudon's squad showed resilience, matching Carrollton's 15-point output. However, the third-quarter struggles proved too much to overcome, and the Warriors ultimately fell 53-42. After hitting three first-half threes, West Branch managed just one more for the remainder of the game, a stark contrast to their early success from beyond the arc.
Top performers
What's Next: West Branch will be back in action on Tuesday, hosting Youngstown East with tip-off set for 6:45 PM.
