Garner downs Broughton in battle of Holiday Invitational veterans

RALEIGH -- In a matchup between the two top teams who have played in more John Wall Holiday Invitational games than any other squad, Garner (9-2) rallied to defeat Raleigh Broughton, 68-63, in a consolation semifinal game in the Graham bracket.

Broughton (6-7) has played in the Holiday Invitational 33 times while Garner is making its 27th appearance.

The game started off quick, with Broughton jumping out to an 11-4 lead after just 3 minutes. Garner was able to cut into the early deficit by applying full-court pressure and speeding up the Caps. The Trojans forced a few turnovers, scored some easy transition baskets, and managed to tie the game before the end of the quarter, which ended tied at 21-21.

Garner continued the aggressive pressure in the second period and both offenses cooled off. The teams went back and forth with Broughton holding a slight advantage throughout the period. Garner struggled to keep up with Broughton’s outside shooting, but made up for it with strong drives and a very efficient transition attack. A Cooper Warwick reverse layup gave Broughton a 37-35 edge going into the half.

The third quarter saw both teams scrapping for points. Hayes Carlin hit his fourth 3 halfway through the quarter, breaking a tie and giving the Caps a 44-41 advantage. As the quarter went on, Broughton was able to sustain a consistent five-to-seven-point lead over the Trojans. Garner finished the quarter on a 9-0 run thanks to a 3 by Tayshaun Whitner and two 3s by Chris Crudup. That run gave them a 52-50 lead going into the fourth.

Both defenses held strong in the final eight minutes, with just six total points being scored in the first five minutes of the quarter. McCallum Wright broke the stalemate with another 3, followed by a Kingston Beale layup on the other end, which was then followed by a Manning Lasso and-1.

When Chris Crudup hit a 3 with 1:50 left to play, there had been four straight scoring possessions and Garner led 60-59. Tayshaun Whitner hit a dagger three on the next Trojan possession and Broughton had to play the foul game.

Harrison Savery hit two midrange pull-ups in an attempt to comeback, but Garner ultimately held on to win.

Garner, which will now play in Friday’s fifth-place game vs. Southern Durham (6-3) at Broughton High School at 12:30 p.m., was led by Crudup’s 26 points and nine rebounds.

Broughton will travel to Cary Academy to play in the seventh-place game at 11:30 a.m. vs. Holly Springs (8-3). The Caps were paced by Wright’s 18 points and Carlin’s 14.