Day 2: Chesapeake Challenge...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Happy New Year to one and all. Back out at Heritage Hall for Day 2 of the Chesapeake Energy Challenge. One team made a statement while another made a nice comeback.

Let’s get to it.

Heritage Hall 53, Perkins-Tryon 49 (Girls)

This game was extremely interesting. Perkins is loaded with good size and some stellar perimeter shooters. Heritage is loaded with, well, the toughness and leadership of Murphy Burns and D Brown.

Burns scored 10 of the team’s 19 points in the first half. If you thought that was good, should have seen the second half.

Spoke with coach Leslie Warner after the game, and she said this was a big win. Now the Chargers get to defend their homecourt in the championship against Weatherford.

Chargers showed a lot of heart as Perkins was up 41-34 early in the fourth quarter before Heritage got rolling. Or more specifically, Burns, Brown and BreAuna Gaddis. The trio were the only girls to score in the second half.

It was a tough matchup for Heritage as Perkins’ size dwarfs anything the Chargers have. Gaddis will feel it later tonight, but she stood her ground.

Burns ended up with 32 points. Warner said Burns was a little frustrated after her off night Thursday and wanted to come out and make a statement. Done and done.

Perkins just didn’t have an answer when Heritage stepped up the intensity in this one. However, liked a lot from what I saw of the Demons. Really good balance, and I could watch Justice Payne shoot all day. She gets it high to put it lightly.

Heritage plays Weatherford in the championship Saturday. The Eagles beat the Chargers earlier this season.

Holland Hall 53, Kingfisher 34 (Boys)

Even if Kingfisher was fully rested, I don’t know if it beats the Dutchmen. This Holland Hall team was impressive on this day.