By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
Derek Barnette committed three quick fouls and took himself out of the game early in the first half, however, the Braxton senior returned with a bang scoring 12 of his game-high 16 points in the third quarter to lead the visiting Eagles to a 54-47 come-from-behind victory over Calhoun Thursday night.
With Barnette on the bench most of the first half the Eagles struggled and fell behind 27-14 at intermission.
But that would all soon change when he returned to the game as he popped in six field goals to lift the Eagles to an 18-6 third quarter advantage and a 37-33 lead.
It was enough to allow the Eagles, 3-9, to combine a couple of field goals and a lot of free throws in the fourth quarter to get the victory.
Calhoun jumped on the Eagles early and after battling to a 14-14 first quarter tie was able to jump ahead at halftime on the strength of a 13-5 second quarter advantage.
Slider, with nine in the first half, led a balanced attack that had the Eagles on the ropes.
But in the third period Barnette got hot and Slider got decked on an intentional foul on a breakaway lay up attempt following a steal, forcing him out of the game for an extended period of time.
Slider returned to the contest and led Calhoun with 13 points as one of three Red Devils hitting in double figures. Trent Phillips added 12 on four three-point shots while Ricky Hall chipped in with 11.
Luke Moore had five, Mason Sheldon four and Tyler Gerwig two for the 1-11 Red Devils. Sam Brady, Ethyn Miller, Lucas Wilson and Derek Dawson all played without scoring.
Slider and Phillips led Calhoun on the boards with nine each as the Red Devils enjoyed a 36-28 advantage.
For Braxton Austin Rhodes had 14 to back Barnette while Danny Mosely had 11.
Calhoun won the reserve game by a 37-33 score despite giving the Eagles several chances to come back in the final period when it missed 10 free throws.
Miller led Calhoun, 3-9, with 13 points while William Baker had nine and Brady eight.
David Workman came off the bench to score three and grab a team high seven rebounds, trying Brady. Dakota Jarvis and Luke Sheldon chipped in with two each.
Riley Cain, MyKia Holbert and Nick Watkins all played but did not score.
Braxton, 1-12, was led by Josh Skidmore with eight while Clay Vincent had six and Brent McMillion and Tyler Conrad had five each.
The win for the Red Devils avenges an earlier loss to the Eagles. It was the Eagles' only win.
Calhoun is idle until Tuesday when it plays host to Gilmer County.
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