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AMERICUS – With time running out and the 17u Thunder trailing 50-48, Jordan Wiley drove to the basket, scored to tie the game and was fouled on the play. He then made the free throw to complete the three-point play to give the 17u Thunder a 51-50 win over the Raptors on the next to last day of regular-season play in the Dwight Harris Boys Club Basketball League (DHBCBL).

The game was one of four DHBCBL games that were played on Monday evening, July 15, at Americus-Sumter County Ninth Grade Academy.

Wallace Bradley, who plays his high school ball for Americus-Sumter (ASHS), led the Thunder in scoring with 19 points and Wiley scored 18. Wiley is also a member of the ASHS basketball team. Elijah Westbrook and Carmelo Volley scored eight and four points respectively to round out the Thunder’s scoring.

Neither team could get a big lead in the first half. The Raptors were able to take a 20-13 lead on a basket by Jaheem Banks, but the Thunder went on a 12-6 run to close out the first half. By halftime, the Raptors owned a slim 26-25 lead.

The second half was much the same as the first as each team traded baskets on just about every possession. Neither team could make a big run and pull away.

Banks scored 19 points to lead the Raptors. Deonte Cross scored eight points and Le’ Shannon Ross chipped in six for the Raptors in the losing cause.

The other 17u game of the night featured two teams loaded with extremely talented high school players: the Bucks and the Rockets. This game was close for most of the way, but the Bucks made a run late in the game to seal their 69-57 win.

Kanova Willoughby led all scorers with 33 points and his brother, Quevoluia Willoughby, scored 13. Trauntavious Robinson was also in double figures with 10 points.

For the 17u Rockets, they were led in scoring by Shomari Gaines, who scored 25 points.

In the 14u division, D.J. Hurley, point guard for the 14u Thunder, scored 42 points to lead his team almost single-handedly to a 65-54 win over the Warriors.

The Thunder jumped out to a 32-23 lead by halftime, with Hurley scoring 18 of his 42 points in the first half.

However, during the second half, Hurley put his team on his shoulders and carried them to an 11-point victory as he scored 24 second-half points. Mike Terry scored eight points, Cedric Smith had seven and Jaseph Jordan scored two points to round out the Thunder’s scoring.

For the 14u Warriors, they were led in scoring by Brandon Pope with 23 points. Kadarius King scored 15 points and Javin Lewis scored six for the Warriors in the losing cause.

The other 14u game of the evening featured the Bucks and the Raptors. The Bucks jumped out to a 21-9 lead in the first half and never let up on their way to a 40-20 win.

Tuesday, July 16, will be the last day of DHBCBL regular-season play. The DHBCBL playoffs will begin on Wednesday, July 17 and will run through Championship Saturday on July 20.