New River CTC Invitational: Beckley boys basketball rallies past South Charleston

Flying Eagles erase a seven-point deficit with just over two minutes to play

With just over two minutes to play, Beckley was in dire straights against longtime rival South Charleston in the New River CTC Invitational.

Trailing 57-50, the Flying Eagles stirred up the echoes was an old-school Beckley comeback.

Preston Clary jump-started the rally with a strong drive to the rack for a bucket and a foul.

A rare free-throw miss by the senior standout turned beneficial when Clary scooped up a loose ball on the rebound for another bucket, slicing the deficit to just three points.

A missed jumper by the Black Eagles afforded the Flying Eagles a chance to cut into the lead again.

Jahden Robinson, however, had other ideas.

After struggling most of the night from behind the arc, Robinson drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game with 90 seconds to play.

Needing a crucial defensive stop, Gage Burdette slipped behind the South Charleston player for a steal and a coast-to-coast layup for the lead.

Burdette and Clary talked about the two big steals.

The lead was quickly dashed though when Brycen Orcutt nailed a corner-3 for the 60-59 lead as the clock ticked under a minute.

Once again, Mr. Robinson came up big when he answered with his own corner triple to regain the lead for good.

Clary, who led Beckley with 22 points, sealed the win with two big free throws before Orcutt hit a deep 3-pointer just before the horn.

Robinson tallied 16, while Burdette tallied eight assists, with zero turnovers in the final two quarters. Kingston Clark added eight points and six rebounds.

Malcolm Brown paced South Charleston with 22 points. Orcutt scored 19 points and Jacari Goode added 15.

Beckley head coach Ron Kidd discussed the comeback win Wednesday.