TAR HEEL – Ikeir Murchison pumped in 6 of his team-high 19 points in the final period to help Tar Heel hold off Williams Township 40-39 Thursday night in Waccamaw Middle School Conference boys basketball action.
The Panthers took a 32-27 lead into the final quarter, and Murchison drove to the rim and hurled in jump hooks to keep the Panthers ahead at 38-35 and 40-37.
Jamal Brown poured in 12 of his game-high 24 points to lead the fourth-period Aggie rally. Kearean Ballard also tossed in a basket to keep the Panthers on top.
Ballard finished with 12 points for Tar Heel, and teammate Jordan Underwood added 7 points. Trey Stevens scored 8 points for Williams.
Murchison fired in a 3-point shot and another basket to spark the Panthers to a 12-7 first quarter lead. Ballard dropped in 2 baskets, and Underwood sank a basket and a free throw.
Stevens rallied the Aggies with 6 points in the second period, and Brown tallied 5 points as Williams edged ahead 22-20 at halftime.
Murchison banked in a pair of baskets to keep Tar Heel close, Ballard netted a basket, and Underwood canned 2 foul shots.
Ballard and Murchison pumped in 2 baskets each to key a 12-5 Panther spurt that vaulted Tar Heel ahead 32-27. Underwood and Kalef Brown popped in a basket each.
Coach Priscilla Council’s Panthers improved to 2-5 and will host Clarkton School of Discovery Monday.
Williams 7 15 5 12 – 39
Tar Heel 12 8 12 8 – 40
TAR HEEL (40) – Deyon McDonald, Ikeir Murchison 19, Kalef Brown 2, Kearean Ballard 12, Jordan Underwood 7, Aquani Hilton, Stefane Jessup, Ahmir Stepps, Xavier Lopez, Saquan Lewis, Cameron Page, Tyrek Ballard, Messyah Whitted.