East Burke Middle shot the lights out in the second half of Thursday’s Foothills Athletic Conference boys basketball game en route to a 48-35 road triumph at Table Rock.
The victory tied the Raiders with the Falcons atop the FAC standings at 7-2. West McDowell Jr. High sits one-half game back at 6-2.
East Burke jumped out to an early 7-4 lead behind the hot shooting of forwards Brandon Clark and Tyler Hernandez. TRMS, trailing by three points early in the second period, went on a 6-0 run highlighted by two B.J. Emmons field goals and an inside basket by Jamie O’Neil for a 14-11 lead.
The Falcons then led 20-17 before EBMS’ Drew Kelly nailed two free throws to narrow the margin to one point at the half.
Clark scored the Raiders’ first six points of the second half before Kelly drilled two technical-foul free throws and post player Ryan Denton sank an inside basket to put the Raiders up 29-22 with 1:38 remaining in the third period.
The Falcons responded with a 6-2 run to draw within three points at the end of the third before Raider point guard Jonas Bradshaw made a field goal and a free throw, Michael Richardson banked in a basket and Kelly sank bookend 3-pointers to put the Raiders up 42-28.
Clark led EB with 15 points and three assists, while Kelly scored 13 and Hernandez chipped in with nine.
“This was a very big win for our team since Table Rock was in first place coming into this game,” said Clark. “I think we played with more intensity, worked together as a team and played with heart.”
Table Rock was led offensively by Russell Cuthbertson (13 points) and Emmons (nine). The Falcons’ defensive effort was led by Austin Fisher, Josh Johnson, Bailey Ragle, Elijah Dale and O’Neil.
GIRLS: Table Rock 52, East Burke 37 — Speedy Lady Falcons guard Ariyana Williams scored a game-high 19 points (all in the opening three periods) to lead the home team to victory. Table Rock (7-2 FAC) also picked up 12 points apiece from post player Amy Rhoney and seventh-grade guard Amaryah Corpening.
The Lady Falcons claimed the rebounding advantage as Laney Hodges and Rhoney led the way. Williams chipped in with five assists while Chyna O’Neil dished out three.
TRMS also received some defensive help from starter Jade Crump and reserve Hailey Shelton.
East Burke (4-7, 2-7), which trailed 44-19 midway through the third period, outscored the home squad 10-0 to end the frame. The Lady Raiders got four points from Kayla Fortenberry and two each from Kieren Smith, Kristina Hernandez and Kaelyn Miller in that stretch.
Hernandez led the Lady Raiders with nine points while Smith and Miller contributed six points each. Smith dished out a team-high four assists.
East Burke hosts Heritage on Monday, while Table Rock visits West McDowell.
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