The W.S. Neal boys’ varsity basketball team closed out the evening with a bang on Friday, overcoming a 11-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat T.R. Miller 55-51. The WSN B-team also picked up a win. The TRM Lady Tigers was dominant in its 46-6 win over the Lady Eagles.

WSN 37, TRM 37 (B-team)

The Tigers began the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to bring the score to 27-20 in favor of the Eagles. Neal’s Li’Terrance McCants stopped the bleeding with a three-ball to extend the Eagle lead back to 10. Miller’s Micah Flores connected for a three-pointer to shrink the Neal lead back. The combination of Jordan Hails and Aquarius Taylor was too much for the Tigers down the stretch, as both combined for seven points to outscore Miller’s three points.

Hails led Neal with 15 points. Wyatt Hunley and Taylor had seven points and six points, respectively.

Toby Jenkins had 11 points to lead Miller. Flores had eight points.

WSN 6, TRM 46 (Girls)

The Lady Tigers continued their dominance on the court Friday behind 13-point scoring nights from junior, Steely Ruzic, and freshman, Janazsia Nettles.

Neal scored all six of its points in the first quarter.

MeMe Lawson scored the lone six points for Neal.

WSN 55, TRM 51 (A-team)

Sometimes all a team needs is a little momentum to get back in the game, and that’s what Neal received after a technical foul with 2:30 left to go in the fourth quarter. In less than 20 seconds, the Eagles scored seven points. After beginning the quarter with a 38-27 lead, the Tigers found themselves up 43-42.

Neal took its first lead of the game off two made free throws by J.T. Gantt. Miller responded with a made bucket at the basket by Michael Smith. Shiv Patel added another basket for Miller. Marvin Maddox added two free throws for Neal, and Miller added two free throws to make the score, 49-46. Maddox and Kenneth Walker made three free throws to tie the game at 49-all. Jordan Williams added two free throws to give Miller back the lead.

Neal responded with a basket by Jacobey Hawthorne to tie the game. On the next Miller inbound, Maddox stole the ball and made the layup to give Neal a 53-51 lead. With no time outs left, Miller tried a long pass down court but failed on the attempt. Maddox added two more free throws down the stretch to ice the game for the Eagles.

Leading Neal was Maddox with 22 points (6-of-9 in free throws), five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Hawthorne had 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Gantt had three blocks. Matthew Thomas had three points, six rebounds and four steals.

Joshua Jolly led Miller with 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Williams had 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. Patel had nine points, four rebounds (three offensive), and one steal. Smith had nine points and six rebounds.

Miller had 22 turnovers to Neal’s 14; and 29 personal fouls to 18, respectively. Three Miller players fouled out of the game.

Miller was 13-of-21 from the free throw line. Neal was 19-of-39.