Braves end 31-game losing streak at Haralson Invitational

First year head coach Phillip Manning and the boys varsity basketball team ended the longest losing streak in school history Saturday afternoon when they upended the Rockmart Yellow Jackets 54-45 at the 2012 Haralson County Invitational basketball tournament in Buchanan.

It was the first win for the boy’s team since they defeated the Spencer Greenwave in the region tournament two seasons ago.

The Braves finished the tournament in fifth place but most importantly removed a very big monkey from their backs heading into 2013 and the region schedule.

Coach Manning spoke about his first varsity coaching win after the game: “I am happy myself but mostly I am just really happy for the guys. I know it has been a long stretch and a lot of guys would not have stuck it out on a team with times this tough. It is a real testament to the toughness of our guys to stick out and keep grinding. I am especially proud for the older guys such as Damon Pearson and Cody Chapman who have really stuck it out the last couple of years.”

It was not an easy win for the Braves who battled back and forth with the Yellow Jackets all game long. Damon Pearson drained a three at the third quarter buzzer (see video) to really give the team a lift heading to the final quarter with a 39-33 lead.

Pearson 3rd quarter buzzer beater at Haralson Invitational from HeardCitizen.com on Vimeo.

Pearson led the Braves scoring with 14. Jonathon Hunt and Deron Swint also finished in double figure for the Braves.

It was a nice bounce back for the squad which was knocked off in round one of the tournament 54-37 by Bremen.

The news was not as positive for the Lady Braves who again struggled to find a rhythm on the court.

The Lady Braves dropped both tourney games to Bremen and the host of the event Haralson County.

In Saturday’s action, a shot by Jasmine Cook at the buzzer just missed as the Lady Braves dropped the game to the Rebelettes by a slim 36-34 margin. Both teams will be back in action this Saturday night when they travel to Troup County to take on the Tigers (6:00/7:30).