South Gibson boys hold off Chester's 2nd half rally

HENDERSON - South Gibson survived a second-half comeback by Chester County to win an early season game with the intensity of a tournament game.

The Hornets won 57-53 to improve to 5-2 on the season.

“The kids are starting to grow and play good basketball,” said South Gibson coach Mark Wilkins. “They could have caved tonight when Chester made a run and cut into our lead, but they came together and pulled out a tough win.”

Several times South Gibson had the chance to extend its lead and put the Eagles out of the game, but Chester County was not going down without a fight.

Senior LaDarian McCurrie had a key sequence of plays for the Hornets late in the fourth period with Chester County down by a point (46-45).

With 1:48 left, McCurrie drove strong to the basket for the three-point lead. Then on the next possession, after an Eagle basket, he drove and kicked it out to Marshall Boyd, who hit a 3-pointer to put South Gibson up by four points (51-47).

Boyd hit three 3-pointers and scored a team-high 16 points for the Hornets.

On Chester County’s next possession, McCurrie stole the ball and called time out before falling out of bounds.

“LaDarian is a senior leader that does not get a lot of credit because he does all the little things to help us win,” Wilkins said, “He dives on the court for loose balls, sets up his teammates with a pass and makes plays on defense.”

South Gibson’s Adren Pearce hit 5-of-6 free throws in the final 30 seconds, and he hit 3-pointers in the first quarter to finish with 14 points.

Chester County’s Mac Shelton came off the bench to lead the Eagles in scoring with 11 points.

Girls Basketball

Chester County 58,

South Gibson 46

The Eaglettes overcame a slow start offensively and rallied to beat the Lady Hornets.

Chester County’s Paige Pipkin struggled early, but got hot late and led the Eaglettes in scoring with 21 points.

Amya Boyle scored 13 points and made several key steals that led to easy baskets to help get Chester County going offensively.

South Gibson’s Christen King had a team-high 16 points.