The Boyd Broncos were back in action Tuesday night hosting the Middle Tennessee Heat in the first round of the MTAC upper schools basketball tournament.
The Broncos won 73-58 in a game where they would never trail to advance to the second round of the tournament.
“I think we looked a little sluggish at times, but it was good that we came out with the win,” said Boyd coach Lucas Majors.
The Broncos dominated the first quarter by outscoring the Heat 24-9 behind junior Trey Cantrell’s 22 points. Cantrell would stuff the stat sheet against the Heat scoring 35 points while adding four assists and seven steals.
“Trey had a great game and helped the team when we needed him,” Majors added.
Cantrell and the Broncos would cool off in the second quarter and Middle Tennessee would take advantage. After being down big at the end of the first quarter, the Heat would go on an 18-11 run to make the score 35-27 at the half. Cantrell would end the half with 24 points.
The Heat still had no answer for Cantrell or the Broncos after the half, and the Broncos would continue to lead 54-45 going into the final quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Middle Tennessee would pull within six, 54-48, but would not get any closer before the final buzzer sounded and the Broncos would ultimately win the game 73-58.
The host Broncos were led in scoring by Cantrell’s 35. Junior Tyler Beaty would add 13 points, while junior Blaine Wilson and sophomore Jaden Reno added eight points apiece.
The visiting Heat would be led in scoring by Ryan Hammonds, who had 25 points and Sam Blackwell, who added 22 in a losing effort.
The Broncos were on the road for their second-round tournament matchup against the Western Kentucky Trailblazers in Bowling Green, Ky., on Thursday night with results not available at press time.