SOUTH CHARLESTON- After a 1-2 start including a head scratching loss to St. Albans, the Greenbrier East Spartans picked up their third win in a row after defeating Class AAA number 6 South Charleston 60-54 on Saturday, Jan. 3 at the South Charleston Community Center.
It was the Spartans’ second top 10 win in the last four days–They defeated no. 2 Bridgeport on Tuesday.
East fell behind early in this one due to some streaky shooting from Black Eagles freshman Brycen Orcutt. Orcutt hit for five quick points, including a long 3 that put SC up 8-3. But four consecutive points from Nathan Dixon brought the Spartans within a point before Orcutt stroked another triple giving the Eagles a lead at 11-7.
The Spartans (4-2) gained a little momentum at the end of the quarter when Brodrik Gunter fired a beautiful pass from half court to Sam Hawver who jumped up and slammed it down as the Spartans trailed 15-11 after one.
Brody Hamric carried Greenbrier East in the second quarter in a variety of ways. The senior point guard scored the first bucket of the period and following a Dixon dunk, Hamric got a nice driving layup that cut the Spartan deficit to 20-17. That bucket ignited an 11-0 run that included Gabe Neal’s steal and slam, a tough basket from Dixon, and a 3-pointer from Hamric. Hamric was also fouled shooting a 3 but the officials determined the foul wasn’t a shooting one. Right before halftime, Braylen Godfrey scored at the buzzer and Greenbrier East took a 28-22 lead into the break.
South Charleston (4-3) looked to Malcolm Brown early and often in the second half. Brown, who scored 35 points against Chapmanville, was held by the Spartan defense to just two first half points. He scored six in the third, but East typically had answers.
Dixon knocked in a jumper and on consecutive possessions about a minute later, hit a trifecta, and scored another bucket to give East a 39-37 lead after the Black Eagles had stormed back. Cai Jones’ 3-point play gave the Spartans a 42-39 lead with one quarter remaining.
The Eagles started the fourth on a 5-0 run that included a technical on East’s Darius Burns, but Neal hit a clutch 3 to give East a 45-44 lead with just under six minutes to play. Then, the Spartans went on a 7-0 run to run the lead to 52-44. Brown tried to keep SC close with an old-fashioned three-point play that cut the Eagles deficit to 52-49, but two clutch baskets from Hawver pretty much sealed the deal in the Spartans favor.
Hamric sank two free throws late to put the game out of reach.
Hamric led the way for East with 22 points. Dixon contributed 19.
Orcutt led SC with 17 and Brown added 16.
East will play in the New River Invitational in Beckley this Tuesday, Jan. 6 against Nicholas County at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Tipoff is set for 4:30 PM.
