2023.02.09 Boys Basketball: Tuscarora @ Broad Run

Ashburn, VA (February 9, 2023) - With post-season brackets set, Tuscarora's top seed assured, and Broad Run's third spot nailed down, this game would be about momentum. The winner would open the tournament with plenty of it.

Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.

The Huskies started out hot, running out to an 8-2 lead at the 4:00 mark of the first period. After the Spartans' Colin Pollock sank a free-throw to complete an "old fashioned" three-point play, it looked like Broad Run had evened things up. But Jayden Johnson went on a tear and led Tuscarora to an 18-8 lead to end the first quarter.

Broad Run closed the gap by halftime on the strength of their outside shooting. Adam Perdue and Brayden Lee hit long-range jumpers to help bring the deficit to 28-24 at the halftime break, but it still felt like Tuscarora had another gear to engage.

The Huskies were forced to take a timeout at 5:30 of the third quarter when Pollock completed another three-point play to bring the Spartans within a basket, 30-28. But a massive dunk from Michael Davis, a big three from TJ Duggan, and a Broad Run bench technical ignited a Huskies surge to close out the period firmly in front, 45-36.

And that's when Broad Run senior Matin Perdue took over. With baskets from inside and outside, along with points from the foul line, Perdue almost single-handedly closed the gap. Once the game was tied at 45-45, the teams traded baskets as time wound down. Johnson gave the Huskies the lead with 0:40 seconds remaining, 51-50, but Pollock was at the foul line with a chance to the game or give Broad Run the lead. He made one, and overtime ensued, tied 51-51.

In the extra period, it was Perdue again leading the way for the Spartans. This time he was on the foul line with three seconds left and a chance for a momentum-stealing win--and he made no mistakes. But rather than celebrating hard, the Broad Run team shook hands and then walked off the court with only hints of satisfaction on their face. They all knew that the really important wins have to come next week.

Final Score: Broad Run 60 - Tuscarora 59