Neal B-team, TRM girls win

Prior match ups between the rivals were decided by only eight points, so it was only fitting that the T.R. Miller and W.S. Neal boys’ varsity would be a another nail biter. For a team honoring its senior class, it was a story book ending for the Tigers who came out victorious with a 57-54 win.

TRM head coach Terrence Walker said his team played very well in the game.

“It was a great win for our two seniors, Jordan Williams and Michael Smith,” Walker said.

“We did a good job of making our free throws and making the open shot. Shiv Patel has really stepped up his game this end half of the season. He knocked down some big threes for us. Now for us moving forward its getting ready for area tournament play.”

The fourth quarter began with a 36-32 lead by the Eagles. The Tigers scored five quick points from technical fouls shots and a three pointer by Patel. Neal responded with two-made free throws by Marvin Maddox.

Miller put its foot on the pedal with back-to-back three pointers by Michael Smith and Patel, giving the Tigers a 43-38 lead. Maddox responded with a clutch three-pointer on the other end for Neal to close the gap to within two.

Miller returned with a 5-0 run from baskets by Hayden Atkinson and Joshua Jolly, extending its lead to 48-41.

Neal refused to back down. Maddox added a bucket and two free throws to make the score 48-45. On its next possession down court, Hawthorne drove to the rim for layup-and-one to tie the game at 48-48 with 3:30 left to play.

The Tigers answered with two free throws by Campbell and a put back shot by Patel to take a 52-48 lead. Hawthorne secured a three-pointer for Neal to keep the game close. Jolly added a basket for Miller to force an Eagle time out.

Out of the timeout Neal added two free throws to make the score 54-53. After, Miller and Neal traded free throws to make the score 56-54. With the game in the balance with less than a minute, Jolly went to the free throw line for Miller.

Jolly missed on both, but Jordan Williams was able to secure a clutch rebound for the Tigers and kick it out to a fellow teammate. Junior, Stokes Jennings made a free throw to extend Miller’s lead to 57-54. Neal was unsuccessful in a final shot attempt as time expired.

Leading Neal in scoring was Hawthorne with 16 points. Maddox and Matthew Thomas had 14 points each.

Leading Miller was Smith with 13 points. Patel had 12 points, eight points coming in the fourth quarter.

The WSN boys B-team defeated TRM 32-30.

In girl’s action, the Lady Tigers was too much for the Lady Eagles, winning 64-9. Alijah Fountain led Miller with 20 points. Jakyra Spears scored 15 points.