STARKVILLE — Aberdeen enjoyed a brilliant first half of basketball Wednesday in the Travis Outlaw Slam Dunk at the Hump high school basketball tournament.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Mathew Butler then found the range from downtown.
Butler hit four 3-point baskets in the second quarter as East High (Memphis, Tenn.) erased a 12-point first-half deficit to take an 80-73 win over Aberdeen at Humphrey Coliseum.
Aberdeen (7-3) scored the game’s first six points and actually built a quick 14-2 lead. Behind tenacious defense, Aberdeen led 22-13 after one quarter of play. Shedrick Fair had 12 of his team-high 25 points in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs still held a 27-16 lead when Butler started stuffing the basket. After a scoreless first quarter, Butler hit back-to-back 3 to start the Mustangs’ comeback. Butler scored 14 second-quarter points, including four 3-point baskets; however, Aberdeen still led 38-34 at halftime.
In a very intense basketball game, Aberdeen never built more than a six-point lead in the final half. However, the Mustangs never could grab the lead.
Finally, Butler hit a game-tying field goal with 45 seconds left in regulation. After a steal, Nick King hit a go-ahead layup and also drew a foul. Aberdeen was also called for a technical on the play. While the free throw after the basket was no good, Butler calmly sank both technical free throws to place his team in command with a four-point lead.
For Aberdeen, Elliot Johnson scored 15 points, while Brandon Hodges added 14 points and Jakeese Walker scored 12 points.
Butler finished with 25 points to pace East High. King added 19 points, while Jalen Selmon had 10 points.
n East Oktibbeha 75, Kosciusko 70, OT: In the tournament opener, East Oktibbeha’s Chris Harris got a tip-in at the buzzer, giving the Titans new life and a chance in overtime.
East Oktibbeha cashed in by scoring the first nine points of the extra period and cruised to victory.
The Whippets actually enjoyed a 33-24 halftime lead after erupting for 22 points in the second quarter.
Harris finished with a game-high 26 points, while Devonte Lucius had 23 points for the Titans.
Jamari Roby paced Kosciusko with 17 points.
n Carroll, La., 64, Jackson Olin, Ala. 56: Josh Johnson poured in a game-high 28 points as Carroll erased a six-point halftime deficit to win Wednesday’s second game.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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