The first victory for new Branson Boys Basketball Coach Pete McBride is a nail-biter in the Battle at the Boarder Tournament.
Coming off a season opening loss to Lake Hamilton in the tournament on Thursday, it looked like it would be two straight losses as they stayed close but could not get over the hump against Waynesville in game two of the tournament.
The Pirates had trailed since the later part of the first quarter but never trailed by more than eight points. The Pirates began connecting on some three-point shots and after trailing by seven in the fourth quarter, eventually retook the lead with 2:40 to go. The teams then exchanged baskets with the Pirates looking like they had secured the game after a basket by Justin Gill and two Aiden Dang free throws, but Waynesville answered with a three-point shot. Branson missed two free throws which gave the Tigers a chance at a winning three-point shot which bounced off the rim as time expired.
Dang's hot shooting in the second half helped the Pirates over take the Tigers. He finished with a game high 23 points while Gill added 14 and Jayce Culver scoring 11.
In the girls game, the Lady Pirates pulled away for a 66-41 win behind the 23 points of Rylie Hagston with Elliosn Mehroff adding 19.
Archive broadcast of both Branson Games can be heard at MOARK Sports Dot Com.
In earlier games, Lake Hamilton beat Mountain Home in the boys contest but lost in the girls game.
Friday's results means that Lake Hamilton has clinched first in the boys tournament while second place will be determined by today's Branson- Mountain Home match-up. The Branson-Mountain Home Girls game will determine the winner in the girls tournament.
Saturday Games:
Lake Hamilton vs. Waynesville Girls/Boys 12:00/1:30
Branson vs. Mountain Home Girls/Boys 3:00/4:30
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