By Cinthia Rico
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Higdon – The Section Lions triumphed over North Sand Mountain 81-73 in a Class 2A, Area 15 matchup on Friday night.
The Lions started the evening scoring 23 points in the first quarter to the Bisons 14. At the half, NSM trailed 34-32.
A layup from Drue Carlton tied the game in the third as the two teams battled for an edge. A basket from Dominik Blair and two free throws gave the Lions a 56-48 lead as they closed out the quarter.
NSM answered with two points from Carlton. However, with 33 seconds left, Drake McCutchen and Kaden Bradford’s 3-pointer brought the Lions up 62-50 at the buzzer.
The two foes continued to trade baskets as Section continued to pull away for an 81-73 win.
Senior Jakob Cooper led the Lions with a game-high of 21 points, followed by Drake McCutchen with 13, Alex Guinn added 12 points, Dominik Blair 11 and Kaden Bradford contributed 10 points.
Logan Patterson added nine points, Braden Arndt chipped in 3 and Aaron Waldrop two.
Derek Bearden led NSM with 21 points, Kaleb Helton added 14, Drue Carlton 13 points and Chandler Sullivan 11.
Jonah Slay finished with eight points and Nyle Poore with six.
The Bisons will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they travel to Ider. The Lions hope to continue their momentum as they host Pisgah for a 2A, Area 15 matchup on Tuesday.
Girls
The Section girls bested NSM 59-53 in a Class 2A, Area 15 matchup Friday evening.
The two went head to head until the fourth quarter when the Lions began to pull away from the Bisons after Savannah White placed Section ahead 40-38.
Emily Middlebrook from NSM answered with a 3-pointer as the Bisons inched their way 41-40 in the fourth.
Section gained momentum with baskets from Madison Armstrong and Kenleigh Owens. With seconds left, Taegan Whitmire and Savannah White scored for a 59-53 win over NSM
Savannah White led the Lions with 22 points, Madison Armstrong added 16 and Kenleigh Owens with 11 points.
Taegan Whitmire contributed four and Ali Sullins, Elizabeth Lemieux and Taylor Bell each pitched in two apiece.
North Sand Mountain’s Kabie Bobo finished with 16 points, Ashley Shrader with 13, Madison Renfro added 10 points, Kayden Reyes with eight and Emily Middlebrooks pitched in three.
Section girls host Pisgah for a 2A, Area 15 matchup on Tuesday and NSM travels to Ider.
