By Tray Mason
Correspondent

Nothing could stop the Kings Fork Bulldogs from victory on Tuesday. The Bulldogs weathered an eight-point deficit with a few minutes remaining, a barrage of threes from opponent Indian River and — perhaps most importantly — starters Zach Johnson and Byron Taylor out with the flu.

Nonetheless, the Bulldogs’ boys basketball team pulled out a close win over the Braves 64-62.

“That’s why we have 15 people on the team — so they are ready,” Kings Fork head coach Josh Worrell said. “People have to step up and play, and our kids kept believing.”

The Bulldogs could have given up after Donte Ralph missed an open layup that would have cut the Indian River lead to three with 3:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Braves knocked down two free throws on their next possession, followed by two missed free throw attempts from Jacorey Smith, and King’s Fork found itself trailing 58-51 with just three minutes to play.

Akanni White and Rod Parret would spark the comeback for KF with two consecutive baskets to make the score 58-55 with 2:15 to play.

Indian River would go on to foul Kings Fork on five of their last six possessions, with the Bulldogs already in the bonus. KF would go 7-of-10 from the charity stripe during this stretch.

Trevon Wiggins made the go-ahead basket with a hook in the middle of the lane to give KF a 61-60 lead with 1:06 to play.

A last-second half-court heave from Darryl Fuller missed the basket as time expired, sealing the game for the Bulldogs.

KF trailed by as many as 10 points in the game, allowing 13 three-point field goals in the process. Wallace Jamison of Indian River scored all 15 of his points in the second half, going five for six from behind the line. Fuller led the Braves with 27 points.

The Bulldogs responded after a 64-47 loss Friday at the hands of Oscar Smith. KF is now 3-4 following a loss.

The boys from Suffolk were to meet Grassfield on Thursday and will play at home again tonight against Hickory. The game begins at 7:30 p.m.