Gibson Co. wins in OT
BRADFORD - For the second time this year, four quarters weren’t enough to decide the outcome between the Gibson County Pioneers and the Bradford Red Devils.
Unlike the first matchup, this time it was Gibson County who emerged victorious on Tuesday with a 58-55 overtime victory over District 14-A rival Bradford.
With the win, the Pioneers split the season series with the Red Devils, and the teams will meet again on Monday at Gibson County in the first round of the District 14-A tournament to decide who will move on in the postseason.
Facing a 55-54 deficit with 15 seconds left in overtime, Gibson County guard Peyton Holt hit a high-arching 3-pointer from the right wing to give the Pioneers the go-ahead lead.
“When you get into overtime, it just becomes which team is going to make a play,” said Gibson County head coach Justin Lowery. “We were fortunate to make that play.”
Bradford never trailed in the first three quarters, but a 14-0 Pioneer run late in the third quarter led to Gibson County taking its first lead at 38-36 early in the fourth quarter.
The teams then traded the lead several times before Bradford’s Peyton Akin made a layup with 18 seconds left in regulation to put Bradford up 49-47.
Gibson County responded with two Pierce Holt layups with five seconds left to force OT.
Gibson County’s Mac Hicks scored the first five points of overtime to put the Pioneers up 54-49, but the Red Devils scored six straight points capped by another Akin layup to go up 55-54.
Peyton Holt responded with his game-winning 3-pointer, and the Pioneers added a late free throw to win 58-55.
Hicks led the Pioneers in scoring with 14 points, and the Holts added 12 points apiece.
Akin had 17 points for Bradford to lead all scorers, and Marquez Pirtle added 15.
Girls
Gibson Co. 69, Bradford 61
The Gibson County Lady Pioneers capped off a perfect 28-0 regular season with a 69-61 victory over Bradford.
Gibson County seniors Briana Fields and Erin Lannom spoiled Bradford’s own Senior Night with 30 and 25 points, respectively.
Bradford senior Morgan Martin had 26 points in her final regular season home game.