Lee Trawick
Reporter2@riverbendnews.org
On Monday, Nov. 28, Branford High School kicked off its 2022-23 basketball season at home against the Trenton Tigers (2-0). The Buccaneers are led by senior Cash Blalock, who is one of only two seniors on the Buccaneers' roster. As the match got underway, the tempo of the game seemed to play into the hands of the Tigers. However, the Buccaneers didn't back down, battling with them point for point.
By the end of the first quarter, the score was in favor of the Tigers, 14-13, with the Buccaneers only trailing by one point. This extended to a five point deficit by the end of the first half. However, as the third quarter geared up, the Buccaneers made a few defensive adjustments. This allowed them to hold the Tigers' offense to just 12 points compared to the Buccaneers' 16 points. Going into the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers only trailed by one point, 41-40. Unfortunately, the Tigers managed to hold off the Buccaneers' late charge in the fourth quarter, maintaining the lead, 52-49, when the final buzzer sounded, bringing the Buccaneers' season record to 0-1.
However, the boys were back in action on Thursday, Dec. 1, as they traveled across the Suwannee River to take on the Lafayette High School Hornets in Mayo. As the Buccaneers were coming off of a loss in their season opener, the Hornets were looking to kick their season off with a win. Unfortunately, it appeared the eager Hornets underestimated the Buccaneers, which were highly efficient in their shooting. The Hornets showed great effort, however, despite only on being on the court four days before their season opener. The Buccaneers ran out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the game, only to see the Hornets go on a seven point run to claim the lead, 7-5.
Buccaneers Eric Turner, Cash Blalock and Micah Taber were a three man wrecking crew against the Hornets. Turner made easy work of the opposition, as each of the Hornets were asked to slow him down, a call which no one was able to answer. Turner would go unchallenged throughout the night. Blalock would quarterback the Buccaneers' tempo and keep the Hornets' defense on their heals. Unable to adjust to the tempo, the Buccaneers controlled the game all night. As the Hornets' focus shifted to stopping Turner in some way, Taber began to rain three pointers on the offensive side of the ball, while also dominating the boards on the defensive side.
Trailing by 10 points to begin the second half, the Hornets tried driving to the basket. However, the Buccaneers proved to have the edge in the interior with their height. Both Taber and Turner had their way with the opposition, as the Hornets could not go over or past the long arms of the Buccaneers. Trailing by 14 as the fourth quarter began, the Hornets fought hard to bounce back. However, their efforts would become fruitless, as the Buccaneers' high efficiency looked to be in mid-season, claiming the win, 56-40.
The Buccaneers continued their winning ways at home on Friday, Dec. 2, as they played host to the Dixie County Bears (1-1). The Buccaneers understood three games in the opening week could possibly take a toll on them and, therefore, they would have to give their best effort to survive against the Bears. The first quarter opened with the Buccaneers controlling the tempo, once again led by Blalock. Both Turner and Taber would again use their height, speed and efficiency to jump out to a 13-10 lead.
The Bears then began closing the gap in the second quarter, bringing the score within just two points, 22-20, going into halftime. In the third quarter, the Buccaneers were able to hold off the Bears' best efforts in their attempts to take over, outscoring them 14-12. With a four point lead going into the fourth quarter, it was evident Buccaneers Head Coach John Blalock had managed his players' playing time perfectly. With just enough fuel left in their tanks, the Buccaneers' defense was able to hold off the Bears. Meanwhile, their offense continued to stay on the attack, outscoring the Bears, 18-12, in the fourth quarter and securing the win 54-44 to improve their overall record to 2-1 in their opening week.