Boys Basketball State Tournament: Greater Beckley survives upset bid from Webster County

Crusaders never lead by more than six points, but takes a 52-46 win in the quarterfinal clash

Tuesday night inside the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, the postseason cliches' rang true.

Facing Webster County for a third time this season, Greater Beckley survived its quarterfinal clash with the Highlanders, 52-46, to advance to Thursday's semifinal round Thursday.

Crusaders head coach, Justin Arvon, discussed the hard-fought win.

After a pair of double digit losses to Greater Beckley during the regular season, Webster County head coach Brett Morris changed the game plan for the state tournament battle.

Limiting possessions and applying a triangle-and-two defense on Crusader scoring threats, Javonte Spencer and Iziah Gordon, Morris was able to keep his troops in the game until the final seconds.

The Highlanders surged in front 9-3 before Greater Beckley rallied for a 14-11 lead after the first eight minutes.

The lead moved to 17-11 for GBC, but was never larger the rest of the game.

A layup from Ryder Wright, who battled an illness all game, at the 2:36 mark put the Highlanders back on top at 19-18.

Three lead changes down the stretch ended in a 22-22 deadlock at the half.

The third quarter was back-and-forth with four ties and the biggest lead was three points.

When the final horn sounded, the Crusaders were clinging to a 36-35 lead.

Gordon opened the final period with a jumper, but Webster immediately answered with a 3-ball from Isaiah Cutlip to tie the game.

Buckets from Jabari Spencer and Javonte Spencer gave Greater Beckley the lead for the final time, but the contest was far from settled.

Trailing by five points, Spencer Baird hammered home a 3-ball with 2:25 to play, trimming the deficit to 44-42.

A tough jumper by Gordon gave the Crusaders some much needed space, but with 12.9 seconds to play the lead was still four points.

A charge call on Javonte Spencer on the ensuing in-bounds play gave the ball back to Webster with chance to once again cut into the deficit.

The golden opportunity for the Highlanders was quickly dashed, however, by a steal from Javonte Spencer who made two free throws for the final margin.

Javonte Spencer led all scorers with 23 points, followed by Gordon with 17 points. Gordon and Keelan Remy both grabbed seven rebounds.

Wright scored 16 points for Webster County and Josten Lewis added 13.

Morris talked with the media after the narrow setback.