Airport’s Ryan Smith tries to block a lay up by Brookland–Cayce’s Curtis Barber. Photos by Paulene Cruse For the majority of three quarters, the Airport Eagles had the lead against Brookland–Cayce at home Friday, January 22. However, a run by the Bearcats late in the third quarter, led to a hard–earned 71–65 victory for the Bearcats over their rival. Jonathan Rumph’s 21 points led the way for the Bearcats, while Vance Odom contributed 14, and Curtis Barber had 13.

Both teams felt each other out in the first quarter. A three pointer from Rumph opened the scoring for Brookland–Cayce at 3–0. Airport took a 5–3 lead after baskets from Ismail Lee and Tay Drakes. Then Brookland–Cayce fought back to take a 7-5 lead after a Rumph free throw. Later on, Ricardo Martin’s two free throws gave the lead back to Airport at 11–9. Another bucket from Martin and one from Lance White gave Airport a 15–9 edge after one quarter.

Airport’s Raymond Pinkston (34) and Ricardo Martin (12) battle Brookland–Cayce’s Vince Odom for a loose ball. Airport controlled the entire second quarter. The Eagles used baskets from Drakes, Lee, and Raymond Pinkston to build a 28–18 lead. Two free throws from Curtis Barber helped keep the Bearcats in the game at 28–20. Airport maintained that ten–point advantage until a buzzer– beating three pointer by Antwon Dallas sent Brookland– Cayce into the locker room with some momentum despite being down 34–27.

The momentum carried over to the third quarter as John Coughlin hit two free throws, and Tyler Lytes hit a bucket to cut the deficit to 34–32. White answered with a three pointer, followed by a bucket from Ryan Smith to extend the Airport lead to 39–32. That was the beginning of a 12–5 run by Airport that brought the lead back up to nine at 46–37. However, a bucket from Josh Benton kept Brookland– Cayce in the game and helped spark a Bearcat comeback. Brookland- Cayce scored ten of the next 12 points cutting the Airport lead to 48–47 going into the fourth quarter.

The final quarter was big shot after big shot. It started with Barber making a basket, giving Brookland- Cayce a 49–48 lead. Martin answered with a bucket of his own giving the lead back to Airport at 50–49. A three pointer from Rumph gave the Bearcats the lead back, but White answered with a three of his own giving Airport a 53–52 lead.

A pair of free throws from Rumph and a bucket from Vince Odom gave the lead back to B–C. A tying three pointer from Drakes for Airport was answered by a bucket from Antwon Dallas by Brookland– Cayce, giving the Bearcats a 58–56 lead.

With the score tied at 60 late in the fourth quarter, the game came down to free throws. The Bearcats were able to outscore Airport 11–5, largely due to their ability to make free throws and the Eagles’ inability to make theirs.

A late dunk from Lytes sealed the victory for Brookland–Cayce.