What started out as possible misery turned into triumph for the Charles Henderson Middle School eighth grade basketball team.

In the Trojans’ final game of the season, the team played host to Greenville Middle School Tigers at home on Thursday night.

After a slow start through most of the first three quarters, the Trojans got hot late and ended the season on a high note, winning 36-25.

“This was a game where everything we learned throughout the season came out,” head coach James Johnson said following the Trojans win.

“I let them have it at halftime and it really got their attention – they really responded.”

After two quarters of basketball, the Trojans trailed 18-14 to the Tigers.

GMS held much of the momentum throughout the game until the CHMS took it for themselves during the closing minutes of the third quarter.

The Trojans scored nine consecutive points to end the quarter and in the process took a 28-23 lead.

CHMS would not look back from there.

The team would go on a 7-0 run to start the quarter, holding the Tigers to just two points, which were scored with 1:41 left in the game and sealing the victory in the process.

“The team was nervous coming to the game,” Johnson said. “But they came back and responded well in the second half.”

“To win this game at the end of the season is the greatest feeling ever, especially to do it at home.

“This win lets everyone know what kind of fight this team had in them – I am very proud of this team,” the coach added.

The Trojans finished the season with a 5-8 record.

John Johnson led the way for the Trojans, scoring 11 points, six of which came during the team’s run in the third quarter.

John Stephen finished with nine points, all of which came from beyond the arc, and Shaquille Berry finished with six points.

Eight different Trojans scored in the victory.

“My job is to help develop these players into better basketball players,” Johnson said.

“We were in every game with the exception of one this season. The kids worked hard and in the end, I think they learned what it takes to be a leader, how to prepare for games and how to stay focused.”