by Warrren Kozireski
Austin Richardson went six-for-six from the free throw line – all in one-and-one situations – over the final 38 seconds to help Byron-Bergen secure a 58-51 win over Holley in boys basketball.
The Hawks survived five lead changes over the first eight minutes of the contest to lead by two. They then held Byron-Bergen to just six points in the second quarter and got three lay-ups off steals by Kyle Bell among their 11 points for a seven point halftime advantage.
The Bees came out of the locker room on fire offensively led by 15 points from Richardson on three treys and two other old-fashioned three-point plays to outscore the Hawks 26-10.
Holley used fourth quarter put-backs by Will Barniak during their fourth quarter comeback and a Hunter Keys drive pulled the Hawks to within three points of the lead with 3:40 remaining.
Another Barniak put-back and a Keys lay-up made it a one point game with one minute left, put the Bees’ Jeff Maskell hit on a drive and made the ensuing foul shot and Richardson sealed the win down the stretch.
Barniak had a team-high 20 points with 15 rebounds for the Hawks, Keys had 12 points and six rebounds and Bell added seven points, six steals and four assists.
Khari Sabb had a double-double for the Bees with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Zach Dubois added nine points to Richardson’s game-high 26 points for the Bees.
