Two years of struggles were completely forgotten by the Boyd Broncos Thursday night. Riding a career-best performance from senior Jordan Perry, the Broncos were able to break a two-year conference losing streak by beating Riverside Christian 68-39.
It was a long journey from Feb. 8, 2022 – when Boyd won its last conference game against Covenant (before the Lions shut down their athletic program) – until Thursday, but the Broncos never stopped believing they could get over the hump. Perry made sure of it against the Knights, posting 31 points and taking over stretches of the game in the second half to lead Boyd to victory.
“It was a huge win. It was all them,” said first-year coach Jayden Reno, who has now led Boyd to two wins this season. “They executed, did everything perfect and applied what coach (Trey) Cantrell and I have coached them up to do. It was nice. It was a game where we pieced everything together. I was proud of them – couldn’t ask for a better win.”
One losing streak was sure to end when the Broncos and Knights, both winless in TSIAA games going into Thursday, met on the court. Boyd made sure it was going to be the celebrating from the start, outscoring Riverside Christian 13-0 in the first quarter and capping the period with Jack Rhoton beating the buzzer from long distance.
When the Knights were able to close the gap to within four points early in the third, the Broncos steadied the ship with a flurry of scoring. Jaxon Grissom stopped the Knights’ run with a 3-pointer from the left wing, while Perry added back-to-back, three-point plays later in the period to make it 35-21.
Kaden Jones energized the Broncos late in the third, coming off the bench to get on the board with a cutting layup and adding a clutch 3-pointer from the right wing as Boyd led 45-31 entering the fourth.
It was a similar situation to five days prior when Boyd led by double figures at home against Dickson Christian and thought it would snap the streak, only to see the Thunderbirds rally for a last-second win. This time, the Broncos slammed the door shut on the Knights.
“It was fantastic. Two of our last three games were ones where we up in the fourth quarter. It was nice for us to put the nail in the coffin, not let off the gas and see one through,” said Reno.
Boyd started the fourth on a 14-4 run, highlighted by eight points from Perry and a fantastic drive by Connor Andrews where he froze two defenders with a hesitation move before finishing with a finger roll while being fouled.
Freshman Jordin Mitchell got into the mix late, getting four points in the final 20 seconds to cap a memorable night for the young Broncos.
Reno is hopeful the victory will spur the team on as it looks to finish the regular season strong.
“I think since we got the win under our belt and don’t have it in the back of our mind anymore, we can start taking it one game at a time. We don’t have to worry about the past, the streak or anything and just go out there and work to get another one,” said Reno.
Boyd is scheduled to face Franklin Road Christian at home Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Bronco scoring – Perry 31, Rhoton 9, Jones 7, Grissom 6, Andrews 6, Jace Matheney 5, Mitchell 4
