BRANSON MO NEWS: SPRINGFIELD – Branson’s consolation round game in the Blue Division of the Blue and Gold Tournament was a microcosm of the team’s season through nine games.The Pirates showed signs of strong play against Marshfield, dominating in the first half in taking a 17-point lead over the Blue Jays.But foul trouble and defensive lapses cost Branson and let Marshfield get back into the game in the final two quarters.
Then Marshfield sophomore Drew Comer finished the comeback, scoring on a baseline drive with 3.8 seconds left, giving his team a 49-47 victory.“That’s been our M.O. this whole year,” Branson coach Mike Linehan said. “Most every game, we’ve had a lead and given it up. We’ve lost three games like that now, or barely won games where we were up.”Junior Trey Benard drained four 3-pointers and had 14 first-quarter points as Branson took a 23-8 lead after eight minutes. Even with the team’s foul trouble – Nick Pead fouled out late in the game, with Bernard, Michael Allison, Zach Johnston and Cameron Banks all finishing with three fouls – Branson led 31-23 at halftime.Branson led 39-35 after three quarters, but Parker Dinwiddie and Cromer hit 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter, giving Marshfield the lead.Johnston answered for the Pirates, scoring on a baseline jumper to give Branson a 45-43 lead with 1:55 to play, then taking a pass from Cameron Banks and dropping in a layup for a 47-45 advantage with 1:25 left.
Marshfield answered with a Triston Letterman drive to tie the game, and after a Branson miss, scored the game-winner on Cromer’s drive.“We went cold, and it gave them some confidence,” Linehan said. “I thought Trey played a good game, shot the ball very well. “We shot it well in the first …
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