Winning shot late in Pope loss

By Ashley Crutcher
Pope boys basketball team was a half a second away from the win as Lidarrick Brooks shot for two points just after the clock ran out, making the basket. The bulldogs fell to Charleston in a tight match-up 25-24.
Charleston started off in the first with a three-pointer and scrambled to keep the ball away from the bulldogs. Lataurus Carruth stole the ball away from the Tigers and passed to L.B. Benson.
A Charleston player fouled Benson allowing a free throw shot putting a point for the bulldogs.
Pope kept Charleston from scoring as Montavious Flowers shoots a two pointer into the net, tying the score.
Two fouls allowed Brooks to continue adding points with three free throw shots in the basket. The bulldogs ended the first quarter ahead, 8-3.
Charleston took the ball back in the second and scored, but Carruth and Kavion Bobo both scored for two points. A foul allowed a Charleston.
Charleston shot for two and a three pointer, making each basket. Benson was fouled on and scored another free throw. Pope ended the half ahead of Charleston 13-11.
The second half began with a foul on each team. Both managed a single point with Brooks making the basket for Pope. Both teams fought hard to take back the ball as both teams scored, as Brooks made the shot again.
Charleston scored with another two and free throw to take the lead and end the third.
Charleston increased the lead to start the fourth with another three pointer. Carruth shot two baskets for four points to tie the score, 20-20.
Both teams struggled to take the lead as Charleston caught up after a two pointer and free throw. Flowers shot for two, adding to the score as Charleston took back the ball.
Carruth made a steal and took possesion for Pope and passed to Brooks who shot for two, taking a one point lead over the tigers.
With 18 seconds left in the game Charleston made a basket, giving them the one point lead.
As seconds ticked down Pope scrambled to make the basket as the ball was shot from each side without luck. Benson got the ball and fought his way around Charleston’s defense.
At the net Benson, with one final shot, threw for the win and made the basket.
The crowd went wild, but was soon silenced as refs ruled the point was no good. Benson a half a second away from throwing the ball before the time expired, which left the win to Charleston 25-24.
Pope Girls 8, Charleston 30
Pope girls stuggled against Charleston and allowed the Lady Tigers to take the lead in the first 10-2 after Haven Dulin scored a two pointer. Dulin shot for another wasn’t  in the second as Charleston  scored five with a basket and three free throws. Dulin got two free throws in the second half after a Charleston foul. Charleston went on to score seven more points in the third with three  and a free throw.
Charleston continued to score with players sinking three baskets back to back.
Abby Close shot for two points. Charleston fought for the ball and managed to shoot one last basket before the time. Charleston won 30-8.