Gamecocks secure first win of the season

The New Brockton Gamecocks (1-8) picked up their first win of the season over Northside Methodist on Dec. 4.

The Gamecocks started last week off with a 48-34 loss to Zion Chapel on Dec. 1 on the road. The Rebels jumped out to a 17-5 lead in the first quarter and then expanded that lead to 27-9 at halftime. The two sides tied 12-12 in the third quarter but Zion Chapel took a 39-21 lead heading into the final period.

The Gamecocks outscored the Rebels 13-9 in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough as Zion Chapel held on to the 48-34 win.

New Brockton struggled to shoot, converting just 28 percent of their shot attempts, while Zion Chapel shot 54 percent from the field. Zion Chapel outrebounded New Brockton 38-17.

Brandon Johnson, Damarion Holt and Mathew Smith scored nine points each in the loss. Holt also dished four assists and earned four steals on defense, while Smith had three steals and four rebounds.

Zion Chapel was led by Zay Adair with 13 points and Connor Kelley scored 10 points.

New Brockton followed up with a 65-57 win over Northside Methodist on the road on Dec. 3 to give the Gamecocks their first win of the season.

The Gamecocks took 15-9 lead into the second quarter and then outscored Northside Methodist 12-11 in the second quarter to lead 27-20 lead at halftime. New Brockton outscored Northside Methodist 20-17 in the third quarter, while Northside Methodist won the fourth quarter 20-18. It wasn’t enough, though, as the Gamecocks held on to the 65-57 win.

New Brockton shot 39 percent from the field in the win, while Northside Methodist shot 32 percent from the field.

The Gamecocks were led by Dillon Kelty with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Smith scored 11 points and Holt chipped in with 10 points and eight assists.

New Brockton rematched with Zion Chapel on Dec. 4 and fell again 56-48. The Gamecocks took a slim 6-5 lead into the second quarter but Zion Chapel outscored New Brockton 21-14 in the second quarter to take a 26-20 lead into the half.

Zion Chapel stretched its lead to 44-33 going into the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks managed to outscore the Rebels 15-12 in the final period but couldn’t draw any closer as Zion Chapel held on to the 56-48 win.

New Brockton shot 37 percent from the field in the loss, while Zion Chapel shot 43 percent from the field. Zion Chapel also outrebounded New Brockton 46-29 and scored 44 points in the paint compared to New Brockton’s 20 points.

Kelty again led New Brockton with 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Johnson and Smith scored 11 points each. Johnson also dished five assists, grabbed six rebounds and had five steals on defense. Holt scored eight points and also contributed five assists and three steals.

The Lady Gamecocks (0-3) also tipped off their 2020 season last week with a trio of losses. New Brockton lost to Zion Chapel 30-8 in the season opener on Dec. 1 before dropping a game with Northside Methodist 56-10 on Dec. 3 and losing again to Zion Chapel 31-11 on Dec. 4.