The Boyd Broncos played host to the Middle Tennessee Heat on Tuesday night in what would be their toughest contest yet. The powerhouse Murfreesboro team equaled the Broncos in stats and athleticism, but Boyd had the will to win and took a close 63-60 double-OT victory.
With the contest on the line, the Heat would end up with the ball trailing 62-60 with :30 left in the second OT. Murfreesboro was whistled for a charge and Tyler Beaty made one from the charity stripe to make it a 3-point contest.
In the ensuing melee for control, the Heat would grab the rock and try for a buzzer-beater outside the arc but to no avail. Boyd kept the lead for the win.
“We had two great things happen during Tuesday’s game,” said Boyd head coach Lucas Majors. “Senior Trey Cantrell achieved a career milestone for 1,000 points and we extended our winning streak to 11 in a row.”
“But, I saw something more,” Majors added. “I saw a team that excelled when they were tested. I watched senior leaders remain poised during crunch time. And most of all, I watched 12 young men come together to achieve a common goal. I’m so proud of this team and the example they continue to set on the court and in our community.”
Trey Cantrell led Boyd with 23, followed by Beaty with 17. The win improves Boyd to 19-2.
The Heat’s starting posts were double-threats to both penetrate the paint and shoot from long range, but by the break the Broncos held a 37-30 lead through a late-quarter surge.
The Heat’s deficit increased by one by the end of the third quarter with Boyd taking a 54-46 lead into the fourth. It looked like all Boyd had to do was maintain what was already working and be smart with the ball.
The Middle Tennessee Heat however had different plans. Boyd big man Joelah Solomon picked up his fourth foul with around 3:30 minutes to go and was forced to be less aggressive on defense.
The Heat started taking advantage of the opportunity. With two minutes left, the Heat were able to claw their way back and tie the score at 58 all, sending the contest to overtime.
Cantrell joined Boyd’s 1,000 career point club with his first basket. He is the third Bronco senior this year to reach the millennium mark as Lady Bronco McKenzie Pistole and fellow Bronco Tyler Beaty joined the club earlier this season.
Cantrell is averaging 19.3 points per game while Beaty averages 18.2 per game.
The Broncos look to take this momentum on the road Friday night and avenge their Dec. 9 loss to Franklin Classical School.

Boyd Scoring: Trey Cantrell 23, Tyler Beaty 17, Joelah Solomon 12, Blaine Wilson 6, Jayden Reno 5.