| By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
The 'wake up call' nearly worked.
In a game that saw Calhoun coach Tim Moore bench his starting team for half
a quarter the Red Devils fell to Braxton County, 53-50, Thursday night.
"It was a gamble," Moore said, "but the starters just weren't doing
anything. Braxton's last two scores (before he benched the first team) was
lay-ups and we weren't back on defense."
Calhoun was down 11-1 when Moore made his move midway through the first
quarter. The quarter ended with Braxton on top 16-4.
"Actually Braxton only outscored the second team 5-4," Moore said. "And the
starters came back in wanting to play."
The rejuvenated Red Devils outscored the Class AA 10th-ranked Eagles 24-11
in the second quarter and took a 28-27 halftime lead.
The game seesawed back and forth after that until Braxton went ahead to stay
midway through the fourth quarter.
Calhoun had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds but failed to
get a shot off as the clock expired.
"We didn't play well to be honest," Moore said. "We had our chances and
really should have won the game.
"Had you told me we were going to shoot 15 of 51 and make 20 turnovers
against the 10th-ranked team in the state I would have said they could have
named the score. That's what is frustrating."
Jake Perkins led the way for Calhoun, now 5-6, with 25 points and 16
rebounds. He was backed by Tom Gerwig with 10 (and four steals), Tristan
Harris with nine (and seven rebounds), Chad Conley with three, Tyler
Shartiger two and Mike Batten one. Batten led the team with four assists.
Braxton won the junior varsity game 48-28 despite the heroics of Mike
Sullivan and Victor Carpenter. Sullivan had 11 while Carpenter added 10.
Calhoun returns to action Monday night at home against Gilmer County.
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