HS Boys Basketball: Late turnovers doom Beckley

Turnovers lead to four crucial points for Capital in a 53-52 win by the Cougars

Preston Clary scores a career high 32 points for the Flying Eagles

Monday night the Beckley boys basketball squad once again found itself in a battle to the wire inside the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

Unfortunately for the Flying Eagles, just like the opening season setback to Greenbrier East, Beckley could not convert on the final possession of the game.

Receiving four big points from Josiah Greene off of some costly Flying Eagle turnovers, Capital rallied for a 53-52 win.

Cougars head coach Josh "Cookie" Miller talked about the win inside the famed Armory.

After trailing much of the game, Beckley fought back to tie the game at 43-apiece heading to the final eight minutes.

The home team then took the initial lead of the final stanza in what was to be a hard fought back-and-forth battle.

The Cougars snapped back with four straight points before Beckley senior Preston Clary hit a reverse spin move in the lane. Clary converted the And-1 to put his team back on top.

The visitors knocked down two free throws which were answered by a Gage Burdette jumper.

When Clary scored on a run out assist from A.J. Thomas, Beckley led 52-49 with just over two minutes to play.

Turnovers however, doomed Beckley down the stretch.

Greene converted his first big bucket at the 1:14 mark after a solid defensive play by Isaiah Scott to deflect the ball off of a Beckley player.

Capital then forced another turnover on the next possession, but could not score, giving the ball back to the Flying Eagles.

Undaunted, the Cougars maintained heavy pressure on the home squad, regaining control of the ball with 20 seconds remaining.

Once again it was Green doing the damage.

The big man proceeded to hit the eventual game-winner when he drove the lane and nailed a floater with 12.8 seconds to play.

Beckley had one final possession to try to regain the lead, but when the in bounds pass went astray, Capital held on for the win.

Greene was the only Cougar in double figures with 12 points, but Capital had 11 players score in the win. Camden Harris and Deshaud Williams has seven points apiece.

After scoring a career high 26 points Saturday in the win at Buckhannon-Upshur, Clary topped that with 32 points Monday.

Lucas Raney added 10 for the Flying Eagles who play Oak Hill Tuesday night in the Convention Center.

C: 20 12 11 10 - 53

B: 14 14 15 9 - 52

Beckley head coach Ron Kidd talked to the media after the game.