The Hobbton Middle Wildcats hosted the Sampson Dark Horses on Thursday afternoon in middle school basketball action. After trailing for much of the game, Sampson rallied past the Wildcats in the second half to steal the 40-35 victory.
Hobbton stormed out of the gate in the first quarter, scoring 10 unanswered points on their way to a 15-5 lead at the end of one quarter of play.
The Dark Horses began chipping away at the deficit throughout the second quarter as the Wildcats suffered a cold streak. After being outscored 13-6 in the second quarter by the Dark Horses, the Hobbton lead had been trimmed to 21-18 at the half. Sampson had pulled to within two points with about 1:20 left in the half, but the Wildcat lead stood at three.
A close game ensued in the third quarter, but Hobbton still had a 2-point lead at 30-28 at the end of the period.
Sampson finally stole the lead in the final quarter of play. The Dark Horses took a three point lead late in the game before extending that lead to five points in the final minutes. Sampson would go on to seal the win, 40-35.
Hobbton’s Jalen Holliday led the scoring with 19 points. J. Robinson and Nick Bell each had six.
For Sampson, Lyle Brewington had 15 points, Keayan W. had 12 and Nick Smith added nine.
“Hobbton came out and smacked us right in the mouth and I didn’t know how we would respond,” commented Sampson Coach Ron Davis. “We have had a problem scoring all season long. Defensively, we played great. We are the worst 6-1 team I have coached offensively, but I’ll take it. Defense wins championships.”
Sampson hosts Midway Middle on Tuesday while Hobbton will travel to take on Midway on Thursday.