Sports Editor

Pike County’s free throw shooting percentage for the game was far from perfect, but the Bulldogs managed to connect from the foul line when they needed it, handing rival Goshen a 53-52 loss on Saturday night in Trojan Arena.

The Bulldogs shot six-of-10 at the foul line in the final two minutes of play to secure the victory.

Down 45-39 to the seventh ranked Eagles in the fourth quarter, Jermaine Johnson’s offensive board and putback three-point play sliced Goshen’s lead in half. Guard Reggie Griffin launched a long-range three from the top of the key to tie the game at 45-45 a few seconds later.

Johnson hit one-of-two from the line, giving PCHS the one point lead, 46-45. Another offensive board and layup, this time by Chris Nickson, put the Bulldogs up for good, 48-45.

Thanks to yet another offensive rebound, this time by senior Michael Walker, the Eagles were forced to foul Griffin with under a minute to play. Griffin hit both foul shots, pushing Pike County’s lead to five points.

Goshen responded with a three-pointer by Wesley Wright. Goshen also got two free throws from Kendaris Pelton and a basket by Ge-Vonne Cooper in the closing seconds of the game, but foul shots by Michael and Nick Walker helped Pike County keep its advantage on the scoreboard.

The Bulldogs had led by seven in the second quarter, 17-10, but Goshen came back to tie it, following two baskets by Cooper and a three-pointer by Averick Rogers.

The score was tied at halftime, 30-30.

Griffin led the Bulldogs with 14 points. Nick Walker had 11 and Nickson scored 10.

Pelton had 22 points to lead the Eagles. Cooper added 17.

The win by Pike County snapped a three-game losing streak to Goshen and avenged an earlier 46-40 defeat at home to the Eagles this season.

It was all Pike County on the evening as the Lady Bulldogs handed the Lady Eagles a 41-25 loss as well. Stephanie Caffie had 11, Wennica Foster had nine and Dee Dee Rodgers added eight for PCHS.

In the B-team contest, the Bulldogs pulled out a 56-51 win in overtime. Jason Still scored 17 points and Jacobey Andrews scored 15. Amos Wilcoxson had 22 in a losing cause for the B-team Eagles. J.J. Barnes had 10.

Pike County played at Wetumpka on Monday night. The Eagles host Montgomery County on Tuesday in Goshen.