In an intense battle at Rupp Arena, the Frederick Douglass Broncos managed to pull off a stunning comeback to defeat Male Bulldogs, 58-54, in the Boys High School Basketball Sweet 16. The Broncos, who were trailing by 13 points with just 4:39 left in the game, managed an incredible 17-0 run in the last 4:16 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
In the first half, Male had a slim lead, with the score at 26-25. However, they extended their advantage in the third quarter, scoring 20 points while holding the Broncos to just 12. The Bulldogs seemed to be in control of the game, leading 54-41 with 4:23 remaining. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to score any points in the last 4:23.
Frederick Douglass, on the other hand, found their rhythm late in the game. The Broncos went on a remarkable 17-0 run in the last 4:16, making 4 of their last 4 field goals. Armelo Boone led the charge for the Broncos, scoring 19 points on 5-11 shooting, including 4-7 from the three-point range, and 5-6 from the free-throw line. Aveion Chenualt contributed 13 points, going 2-5 from the field and 9-10 from the charity stripe.
Male’s Cole Edelen put up an impressive performance with 17 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win for the Bulldogs. Darian White added 11 points, going 5-6 from the field, and 1-1 from beyond the arc.
Despite committing more turnovers (18) than Male (14), Frederick Douglass was able to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes, scoring 17 points off turnovers compared to Male’s 14. The Broncos also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Bulldogs 25-19, with Kai Simpson leading the team with six rebounds.
Blocks: The Frederick Douglass Broncos demonstrated their defensive prowess with six blocks during the game, effectively stifling the Male Bulldogs’ offense. In contrast, the Bulldogs managed only two blocks throughout the contest. The difference in shot-blocking ability contributed to the Broncos’ ability to mount their impressive comeback.
Second-chance points: The Broncos capitalized on their offensive rebounding, scoring seven second-chance points compared to the Bulldogs’ two. This additional scoring opportunity helped Frederick Douglass stay within striking distance and eventually take the lead late in the game.
Turnovers: Ball control was an issue for both teams, but Frederick Douglass had a higher number of turnovers with 18 compared to Male’s 14. However, the Broncos’ ability to capitalize on the Bulldogs’ mistakes helped offset this disadvantage.
Points off turnovers: Despite having more turnovers themselves, Frederick Douglass outscored Male in points off turnovers, 17-14. This stat reveals the Broncos’ ability to turn their opponents’ mistakes into scoring opportunities, which proved vital in their comeback effort.
Bench scoring: Bench scoring was not a significant factor in the game, with both teams having limited contributions from their substitutes. The Male Bulldogs’ bench contributed four points, while the Frederick Douglass Broncos’ bench added only two points. The majority of the scoring load for both teams was carried by their starters.
The Frederick Douglass Broncos’ resilience and determination in the face of adversity ultimately paid off, as they advanced to the next round of the Boys High School Basketball Sweet 16.