Thomas Jefferson’s boys basketball team improved its record to 8-2 this winter after pulling out an exciting 56-52 come-from-behind win over Sarcoxie on Monday night.
The Cavaliers, who trailed by five entering the fourth quarter, halted Sarcoxie’s eight-game winning streak by making winning plays down the stretch.
Thomas Jefferson scored the go-ahead hoop with 2.9 seconds remaining when Tyler Brouhard found Jay Ball open for a basket. After a defensive stop by the hosts, Drew Goodhope sank two free throws for the final margin.
“Our kids really showed a lot of heart in the fourth quarter,” Thomas Jefferson coach Chris Myers said. “We made a defensive adjustment, switching to man in the fourth, and they really got after it, holding Sarcoxie to six points. With Caden (Myers) out, Drew Goodhope has done a fantastic job stepping up his game and he is really pairing with Jay Ball to lead our team in a big way.”
Goodhope led Thomas Jefferson with 26 points and four treys, while Ball contributed 20 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Brouhard chipped in five points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while Jake Jarrett had six rebounds, four assists and three points.
Three players scored in double figures for Sarcoxie (8-5), as Dugan Pogue had 22 points, Terio Asterio added 14 and Garrett Smith contributed 12.
The game was deadlocked at 11 at the end of first quarter and was tied at 27 at halftime.
The Bears outscored the Cavaliers 19-14 in the third period, but Thomas Jefferson won the final frame 15-6.
The Cavaliers host Wheaton on Thursday night. Sarcoxie will host Southwest on Tuesday.
