Photo Credit : Beth Bouldin

The  Hill – In the sports world 🌎 so much emphasis is placed on rivals and expectations, that often fans are left disappointed because the game itself simply cannot live up to the Hype.

Galax traveled the 14 miles across US-58 and that fact alone conjures up thoughts of Duke – UNC  with their US-15 / US-501 showdowns over the years. While Carroll County was in week 2 of their season, the Maroon Tide players were making their season debuts.

The next extra sauce to the evening was the fact that CCMS Boys Head Coach Darian Brown might have been confused about which locke room before and after the opening game. Brown grew up on the other side of the tracks, having played the game with Galax across his chest.

Both sides of the bleachers were open and full of fans looking for an escape from their lives, creating an electric atmosphere from the opening tip.

With all of that said, it would be easy to dismiss the importance of an early season Middle School Basketball match-up but as Lee Corso would say, ” Not So Fast my friend.”

The Boys played first and the key 🔑 to the game would be the Galax Bigs versus the scrappy team defense played by the Cavaliers. Round one went the way of the visitors as Galax erased a 3-0 deficit into an 11-7 advantage after the opening six minutes.

Grant Reed netted four of his seven points in the frame to keep the Cavaliers close.

Not sure what message Brown gave to the team after the opening quarter but the defense played a six minutes that could make Baseball coach Casey Burcham smile. Carroll County flirted with pitching a shut out in the second quarter before finally winning the stretch 7-1.

The defense created a 14-12 lead at the break but it was the offense that flirted with turning the game into a runaway victory in the second half. Remington Millaway jump started the run with an end to end basket 🧺 and then the Human Spark Plug found Sam Johnson for a 3-pointer.

Millaway added his own 3-pointer and Jaxon Stanovcak scored two of his six points on a follow-up bucket to push the Cavalier lead to 26-12. Quick math shows a 22-1 run 🏃‍♂️for Carroll County.

Galax answered with the final four pints in the third quarter and the duo of Jordan Hanks ( 13 points) and Zek McKinney ( 9 points ) kicked into gear for the Maroon Tide. McKinney stuck a turnaround jumper to give Galax a 27-26 lead with 3:00 remaining.

Five straight empty possessions ended when Reed calmly sank a 3-pointer to put CCMS ahead with 1:40 on the clock ⏰. Hanks quickly tied the game at 29-29. Johnson sank one of two free throws before Hanks drained another turnaround jumper to set up the dramatic finish.

Millaway made the play of the game, teaming up with Stanovick on a give and go to put Carroll County ahead 32-31 with 0:25 left on the clock.

Galax would get two good looks at the game winning basket but it wasn’t meant to be for the visitors. After the game that had a little of everything, Brown reflected on what the night meant to both him and his counterpart.

‘ This rival game was everything you’d hope it’d be. I remember being in high school(galax) and looking forward to the Carroll game. It was always a dog fight and could go either way! I’m glad to see nothings changed and I’m sure the fans feel the same way. This game was special for Galax coach Jack Guynn and I because we coach a lot of these guys together during the summer.

    I made it clear to my guys we could be friends after the game but for four quarters we were going to compete! Our main focus this week has been to start the second half better than our first two games and that’s exactly what we did. We came out and made a run but galax didn’t back down, but that’s expected in a rival game. I’m so proud of how my kids stepped up in the final minutes of the game. There were a few lead changes at the end but our guys didn’t run away from the moment. Galax had a chance at the buzzer and it felt like the shot was in slow motion! Once the shot missed and we secured the rebound, coach Reitzel and I could finally breathe. I never saw myself wearing Cavalier colors but I love these guys and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Galax … 11.  1.  4.  15 – 31

CCMS … 4.     7.  12. 6 – 32

GALAX – Hanks 13, McKinney 9,  Boyles 3, Lawrence 3, Lunsford 2, Long 1

CCMS – Johnson 10, Millaway 7, Stanovick 6, Reed 5, Barr 3, Jackson 1