In a matchup that rarely happens, the Greenbrier East Spartans defeated the Greenbrier West Cavaliers 81-68 as the county rivals matched up in Beckley as part of the New River CTC Invitational on Saturday, January 8.
With the victory, the Spartans are now 5-4 and over .500 for the first time this season.
East got down early 6-0, but went on a 9-2 run that put them ahead 9-8 over the next 3:30 of gameplay. Later in the quarter, Monquelle Davis scored three consecutive layups off of West turnovers and after the third one, the Spartans extended their advantage to 19-10.
Chase McClung’s 3-pointer got the Cavaliers (5-1) within six, but Aaron Griffith scored just as the quarter was ending, part of an 8-point quarter for him, and East led 21-15 after one.
Zach Patton then followed in Davis’ shoes to start the second period by scoring the first six points as East went ahead 27-15. A few minutes later, Adam Seams made a beautiful spin pass to Griffith who converted with an acrobatic layup finish at the rim.
Seams would get another bucket later in the quarter, Brammer had a step-through layup and Seams again hit a pull up jumper that bounced in, and East took a 46-28 lead into halftime.
East’s pressure defense took a toll on the Cavaliers in that second quarter.
Brammer knocked in a shot from downtown with 3:04 to play in the third that gave East a 56-40 lead, but West’s Braden McClung refused to let his team be run out of the gym and scored 10 points in the period. Ryan Cole’s offensive rebound put East up 64-47 and the score at the end of the third was 67-50, Spartans.
The Cavaliers cut their deficit to 78-68 and had an opportunity to cut into it more, but Seams hit some clutch free throws down the stretch as the Spartans sealed the deal for the victory.
East shot 55 percent from the field (33-of-61).
Griffith was named player of the game and tied for the team lead in scoring with 19 points. Seams also had 19. Goose Gabbert added 14.
For West, Chase McClung had 22 and Braden McClung scored 18.
East is back in action this Tuesday, January 11 and will host Greater Beckley Christian. GBC defeated the Spartans by 1-point two weeks ago.
