The Independence varsity basketball teams face off against the Hopewell Titans on Friday night when the Titans hosted the Patriots.

Women’s Game

Independence 36, Hopewell 45

On Friday night freshman Braylyn Milton had a big night leading the Lady Patriots with 16 points in a hard fought loss to Hopewell.  She went 6-of-12 from the floor and was 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.

Indy and Hopewell fought to a first quarter 13-13 tie.  Braylyn Milton and Ayanna Anderson scored four first quarter points while Brianna McManus added three points and Sharonda Smith had two points.

In the second quarter both teams had a scoring let down.  However, the Lady Patriots out scored the Lady Titans 9-6 to take a 22-19 half time lead.

The third quarter was a total offensive disaster for the Lady Patriots. The team could not buy a basket and managed only 2 points while giving up 14 as the Lady Titans took a third quarter 33-24 lead.

In the final period the Lady Patriots got back on track scoring 12 fourth quarter points.  However, the Lady Titans held on to their 9 point lead by matching the Lady Patriots’ 12 points to take a 45-36 victory.

Braylyn Milton had 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists.  Brianna McManus added 8 points, got 6 rebounds, had 2 steals and one assist.  Sharonda Smith scored 6 points, grabbed 8 rebounds 6 of which were off the offensive board and had a blocked shot.  Ayanna Anderson had 4 points, came away with 6 offensive boards and 2 defensive rebounds.  Laura Flynn finished the night with 2 points and 4 rebounds.

The Lady Patriots fell to 1-1 on the season and will travel to Olympic on Tuesday for a non-conference game against the Lady Trojans.

Independence  13   9    2  12  –  36

Hopewell          13   6  14  12  – 45

Men’s Game

Independence 57, Hopewell 55

On Friday night the Independence men’s varsity basketball squad opened its season in dramatic fashion in a come from behind victory in front of a raucous crowd at Hopewell High School.

Senior Jamarius Burton, who missed all of last year due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, posted a double double in his first game as a Patriot.  Burton led the Patriots with 26 points and 12 rebounds as the Patriots wiped out an 11 point Hopewell lead to take a 57-55 victory over the Titans.

In the first quarter Indy opened a five point lead with Burton scoring 8 first quarter points followed by Matthew Smith’s 6 points and Andra McKee adding 2 as the Patriots took and 16-11 first quarter lead.

In the second quarter Hopewell’s 6’ 8” junior Alvin Cannady poured in 11 points to help the Titans out score the Patriots by 16 to take a 41-30 halftime lead.

Indy opened the second half playing harder on the defensive end of the court and held the Titans to only seven third quarter points.  The Patriots cut into the Titans’ 11 point lead by scoring 14 points and cutting the lead to four at 44-48.

The fourth quarter was a hard fought physical eight minutes of basketball that saw both teams swapping the lead several times during the final period.  Indy’s Matthews Smith led the Patriots with six fourth quarter points and two blocked shots.  With 1:38 to go Indy took a three point lead at 56-53.  Hopewell came fighting back and cut the lead to one at 56-55 with only 4.2 seconds left to play in the game.  As Patriots worked the ball down the court, Indy’s Jordan Mobley took a hard foul and went to the line shooting two.  Mobley hit one of the two shots putting Indy up 57-55 as the time ran out giving Indy the road win.

Up next for the 1-0 Patriots will be the Olympic Trojans on Tuesday at Olympic High School.

Jamarics Burton led the Patriots with 26 points and 12 rebounds.  He had 6 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot.  Matthew Smith poured in 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 2 steals and 1 assist.  Jordan followed with 7 points, 2 assists and 2 steals.  Raja Melton scored 5 points, had 2 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists.  Andra McKee added 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal and 1 assist.  Anthony Allen finished the night  with 2 points, 1 rebound and had 1 steal.

Independence  16  14  14  13  –  57

Hopewell          11  30    7    7  –  55