A Tale of Comebacks as Royals, Raiders Split Games | HS Sports

For the first time since the two schools were region foes in 2005-06, Bleckley and West Laurens met in basketball action Saturday at the Raiders SaddleDome.  It was a story of comebacks as one team from each school rallied to win.

N'yaia Anderson's 14th point of the first half with three seconds left gave the Lady Royals a 35-18 halftime lead.  Four Lady Raider three-point shots helpd cut the deficit to five going to the fourth.  WL went ahead with 53 seconds left.  One of two Bleckley free throws with eight seconds left cut a two-point deficit to one.  A quick foul, then one of two free throws again mad it a two-point game.  BC's last second shot was short as they lost 66-64.

Anderson finished with 17.  Dewanda Blackshear had 11.  Cam Tillman scored 10.

The Royals trailed the Raiders for most of the first half, their last lead was 8-7 early in the first quarter.  Down six at halftime, Bleckley rallied.  Mario Beck's three-point play drew the teams even at 30.  Dominic Ligon had a three to put BCHS ahead.  Up three to begin the fourth, the lead was as much as eight before WL tried to rally.  It was a three-point game with two minutes left but Rydealous Taylor hit four straight free throws to help secure a 48-42 win.

Taylor finished with 10.  Beck and Ken Hughes scored 10.  Bleckley hosts Taylor County Tuesday.  JV girls play at 4:15 pm with varsity to follow.