The Shadow
ELLISTON – Wyatt Campbell turned on the jets with a team-high 23 points in Bath County’s 63-57 win over Eastern Montgomery in the third-place game of the Pioneer District tournament.
Campbell, a junior guard, only had scored six total points in the district tournament (2 games) prior to his 23-point explosion against the Mustangs.
Much like Campbell, it had been a relatively quiet district tournament for Luke Turner. Turner had been averaging eight points a game in two district playoff games. In the win over Eastern Montgomery, Turner had his playoff breakout performance with 17 points. Turner also reeled in eight rebounds.
Averaging just over 18 points a game in the first two rounds, Andrew Turner was held under double digits with nine points. However, Turner had an over solid performance as he had eight rebounds and 10 assists in the consolation game. Frankie DeBoe also had nine points.
After falling behind 28-22 after the first two quarters, Bath County was on a mission and cut that six-point deficit to open the third quarter and built themselves a one-point lead as the Chargers outscored Eastern Montgomery 20-13 in the quarter.
With six minutes remaining, Campbell scored an easy layup on the assist by A. Turner, which put BCHS ahead by their then largest lead of seven points at 49-42.
The two teams would relatively trade scores for the next four minutes, but Easter Mongtomery had cut into their deficit and were only down three points with under three minutes remaining. With a chance to cut the lead down to one or potentially tie the game, the Mustangs lost the ball out of bounds on a bad pass.
Bath County would make Eastern Montgomery pay for their mistake as L. Turner knocked down a huge 3-pointer to put the Chargers ahead 59-53 with only two minutes left.
The closest the Mustangs would get back within was four points in the final two minutes as BCHS was able to control the clock, while making their foul shots.
Cam Sutphin paced Eastern Montgomery with a team-high 23 points, while Cyrus Underwood chipped in with 12.
During the regular season the two teams had split their series matchup with each picking up a win on their respective home court.
The win for Bath County (13-13) brought the team once again back to .500 basketball.
In their first-round district upset win over Highland, the BCHS clinched a berth in the Class 1, Region C playoffs. For the first time in five years the Chargers will be in the regional postseason and the team met up with George Wythe.
Bath County 13 9 20 21 – 63
Eastern Montgomery 15 13 13 16 – 57
BATH COUNTY (63) – W. Campbell 23, L. Turner 17, A. Turner 9, F. DeBore 9, I. Ingram 4, C. Lowry 1.
