By Mike McClure
The Laurel varsity boys’ basketball team had some missed opportunities in the first half of Tuesday’s state tournament game in Laurel. The Bulldogs trailed Odessa, 30-21, at the half and came within five early in the third quarter before falling, 56-47 in the first round contest.
Brynnen Thompson eyes the basket as he prepares to shoot a free throw. Thompson had 19 points and 15 rebounds in Tuesday’s state tournament game. Photo by Mike McClure
Laurel’s Khalid Burton scored four points and Brynnen “Buggy” Thompson and Ashton Ayres-Lucas added two points apiece as the two teams were knotted at 8-8 with 2:05 left in the first quarter. The Ducks answered with a 7-0 run and took a 15-10 lead into the second quarter. Burton and Thompson each had four points in the quarter.
Odessa hit three three-pointers to take a 26-13 lead. The Bulldogs came back with seven straight points including a three by Burton and trailed by nine at the half. Burton led Laurel with nine and Thompson had six.
Laurel opened the second half with baskets by Thompson and Ayres-Lucas to move within five, leading to a Ducks’ timeout. Odessa went on a 9-0 run to go ahead, 39-25. Thompson made a pair of three-point plays to move the Bulldogs within eight. Odessa came back with another three to take an 11 point lead going into the fourth.
Down 17 midway through the fourth quarter, Laurel kept battling. Za-Bryan Eley scored a basket and dished out assists to Thompson and Burton to reduce the deficit to 11. Eley later hit a three-pointer, but the Ducks held on to win, 56-47.
Thompson led Laurel with 19 points and 15 rebounds and Burton added 15 points.