Brantley boys take down Luverne in rivalry game
Published 4:51 pm Thursday, February 4, 2010
In the hardwood version of the Brantley-Luverne rivalry, the Bulldogs took both games played during the last week.
Friday night, the Bulldogs won 70-49, while Monday’s game ended up 62-51 in Brantley’s favor.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick lead Friday night behind three straight three-pointers, two of which came from Wesley Person.
By the end of the first quarter, Brantley led 22-9, and that margin widened to 36-20 at the break.
The Bulldogs kept Luverne at bay in the second half to hold on to the win.
At times in the second half, the Tigers struggled from the free throw line, which head coach Richard Dorsey said didn’t help matters.
“We’ve had free throw problems all year,” he said. “We just played a better team tonight.”
Brandon McGhee led the Tigers with 12 points, and he was followed closely by Blake Bagents, who scored 11 points.
Friday’s game marked the end of a grueling streak for the Brantley Bulldogs.
“We’re a little physically whipped,” said head coach Johnny Mitchell. “We’ve had four games in five days, and we’re a little tired. Your team is playing pretty well if you can come through that and still find a way to win.”
Wesley Person was the top scorer for the Bulldogs with 19 points, and Tory Upshaw added 14.
Chester Person broke into double figures with 12 points.
Luverne’s next test will come at the end of this week as they travel to Hayneville to face Central High School in the area tournament.
“Hayneville is a very good team, and they’ve probably got us a little out-manned, but that’s why they play the game,” Dorsey said.