It seemed familiar, like I had experienced it before.

Armani Latham of Goldsboro confidently released the ball from his left hand and made a crucial free throw with 10.8 seconds remaining, breaking the tie and securing a two-point win over Beddingfield for the Cougars.

Two hours before, first-year student Nieirah Smith was in the same position as Latham, but with only 9.7 seconds left on the clock. Her initial attempt missed, but her second shot was successful, helping the lady Cougars break a 52-52 tie and win by one point, bringing their record to 13-0.

The boys’ team achieved a 69-67 victory, while the girls’ team secured a 53-52 win, both contributing to the impressive 26-2 overall record for the school’s varsity teams this season. Both teams have maintained a perfect record on their home court.

Girls: Goldsboro 53, Beddingfield 52

During the girls’ game, sophomore Aziyah Boyer scored 30 points, helping Goldsboro maintain a slim but significant advantage.

The Cougars took an early lead, going up by two after the first quarter and four at halftime. Beddingfield had trouble closing the small gap, and Goldsboro could not extend their lead beyond six points.

After the third quarter, with a score of 40-36, the Bruins were able to put together the much-needed run. Kamyla Hill made a three-point shot and TJohnna Harris scored a basket and drew a foul, starting a 6-0 run within the first minute of the fourth quarter.

Towards the end of the game, Boyer and Beddingfield’s Sa’Naiya Coppedge exchanged baskets, with Coppedge scoring 10 of her 12 points in the second half.

In the last two minutes, Boyer gave the Cougars a one-point lead of 50-49. However, Coppedge responded on the other side to regain the lead at 51-50.

Des’Myah Croom made two free throws with 38.0 seconds remaining to put Goldsboro back in the lead. However, Hill was fouled while attempting a three-point shot with 20.1 seconds left, giving them a chance to tie or take the lead.

Hill converted one of her three free throws, which tied the score at 52-52. Beddingfield managed to regain possession of the ball and had an opportunity to take the lead, but a missed shot and a foul on Smith resulted in key free throws for the Cougars, ultimately securing their victory.

Natasha Marshall led Beddingfield in scoring with 15 points, followed by Hill with 13 points and Coppedge with 12 points. Boyer had a total of 30 points, while Croom contributed 9 points and Amiyah Ford added 6 points.

Boys: Goldsboro 69, Beddingfield 67

The boys from Beddingfield were the first to make a move, taking an early 8-point lead in the night’s final game. Maurice Tyler and Latham worked together to swiftly bring the score to 21-18 after the first quarter.

Goldsboro was able to stay close in the first half due to 20 trips to the free throw line. Tyler scored 15 of his 17 points in the first 16 minutes, and by the end of the second quarter, the Cougars were leading 37-36.

In the second half, Jayonta Blanchard, a first-year guard, scored 9 points and helped the Bruins come back from being behind in the third quarter. After a Blanchard three-pointer, Beddingfield took the lead at 51-47, but Xavier White hit a three-pointer, his only points of the game, to lead Goldsboro in a 6-0 run at the end of the quarter.

Latham and Malik Cadet extended their 52-51 lead after three quarters to a four-point advantage midway through the final quarter. Nyrese Williams then started scoring consistently, and with two minutes remaining, the Cougars held their biggest lead of the game at 65-58.

During the last 1:44 of the game, Blanchard, Asun Pender, and Tysean Speight each made impressive three-point shots, reviving Beddingfield’s chances.

Pender’s three-pointer closed the gap to one point, but Latham’s successful free throws in the last minute maintained their lead. Despite being down 67-64, Speight’s three-pointer tied the game, but Latham’s return to the free throw line secured their win.

This season, Goldsboro’s record is 13-2. Out of the Cougars’ eight games, they have won all of them when the margin was six points or less.

Tyler was the top scorer with 17 points, followed by Latham with 14, Williams with 12, and Reberson Chery contributing 10.

Jhion Ashby was the top scorer for Beddingfield with 13 points, followed by Speight and Blanchard with 12 points each.

Source: highschoolot.com