Evans sustains another loss

For the second-straight week, the Evans High School boys basketball team sustained a loss when their opponents scrambled from behind to score a dramatic victory.

//

After leading much of the game, the Knights squandered their point cushion Friday evening and let Greenbrier take the game late in the fourth quarter for a 55-49 victory.

Heading into the fourth quarter down by 9, the Wolfpack put up 22 points to Evans' 7 at a packed Evans High.

The emotional region win brought cheering Greenbrier visitors to the center of the court to celebrate with the elated players.

"What a ball game," Greenbrier coach Casey Dees said after the win. "I'm worn out."

Dees called the victory a confidence-builder for his underdog team.

"We've had so much bad luck this season and so many things go wrong," Dees said. "It's great to see these guys overcome like this."

Still, Evans players gave the home crowd a couple of moments to celebrate.

From 10 feet behind the halfway mark, Evans' Deronte Williams sank a jumper just as the buzzer sounded to end the first quarter.

Perhaps the only highlight in the fourth quarter for the Knights came from a Jonanthan Nicely alley-oop. The flashy play still wasn't enough to stem the Wolfpack's attack.

With 25 seconds left to play, Greenbrier's Andy Gray took the lead from Evans with a jump shot. Gray led the scoring for the Wolfpack with 22 points.

The remainder of the points scored came from Greenbrier's foul line. In fact, Greenbrier was 8-11 for free throws in the fourth period to Evans' 1-3.

A week before, Evans lost to Richmond Academy in double-overtime. Evans dropped to 13-4 overall and 0-2 in the region.

Greenbrier improved to 7-10 overall and 1-1 in the region.

The Lady Wolfpack didn't have to struggle as much as the boys team in a 66-40 win over Evans' girls.

Greenbrier struck first with a three-point jumper and never looked back.

The Pack's Sara Oland made 15 points in the matchup, including four three-point baskets. Ayanna Fairbanks had a 10-point game.

The blowout win didn't represent Greenbrier's best basketball, coach Garrett Black said.

The victory extended Greenbrier's winning streak to 17 this season, including 2-0 in the region.