In one of the year’s most exciting contests, Winnsboro hung on in the final minutes to post a 62-60 win over a Quitman team that would not quit. It was a loud and rowdy game with multiple lead changes, scoring runs and hard-fought defense from both teams. 

The Bulldogs took an early 6-2 lead on four free throws and a 12-foot jump shot by Levi Thompson. The Red Raiders tried to slow down Thompson, but the talented Quitman junior scorched the nets for 31 points. Thompson hit 11 first quarter points, and the Bulldogs had a 16-12 lead after the first quarter. 

A 19-10 Winnsboro advantage in the second quarter gave the Raiders a halftime lead of 31-26. Neither team could muster a commanding lead at anytime. A Will Wilcox bucket for Winnsboro put the Raiders up 27-22, but Quitman’s Thomas closed to gap to 27-26 on a pair of jump shots. Winnsboro got the final two buckets of the half.

The Raiders got a solid game on both ends of the floor from senior Crayton Klika, especially in the second half. Quitman’s rugged post Justin Matthews had another solid defensive outing hustling the boards and not giving ground in the lane. Landon Richey and Ethan Presley each did a good job coming in to give the Bulldogs strong presence in the lane.

In the third quarter Quitman came back strong with Thomas, Brady Floyd, Thomas Sebedra and Hunter Jacobs contributing to the scoring. After Winnsboro had taken a 47-39 lead, Richey, Floyd and Sebedra each scored to cut the margin to 47-45. Winnsboro’s Canaan Swanner hit a bucket at the end of the quarter to give the Raiders a 49-45 lead going into the final eight minutes. 

In a fast-paced and exciting fourth quarter neither team could muster more than a four-point lead with the teams trading buckets and free throws down to the final buzzer.

Quitman took a 53-51 lead on a Thompson bucket with less than five minutes left. Three free throws by Floyd gave the Bulldogs a 57-51 lead with 3:38 to go. Four successful charity shots by Klika brought the Raiders to within 57-55. 

It was then with just over two minutes to play Winnsboro’s Swanner put the dagger in deep hitting a pair of triples to give the Raiders a 61-57 edge. Thompson came down court and scored three, hitting a lay-up and a free throw after being fouled and it was 61-60.

Klika hit a free throw with eight seconds to play making it 62-60. The Bulldogs raced up court and Ford Tannebaum heaved a long three point attempt that fell short leaving the Raiders to celebrate the close win.

Thompson’s 31 led the way for Quitman while Floyd added 13 and Jacobs 10. The Bulldogs are 13-14 on the year and 2-2 in district play while Winnsboro moves to 16-4 and 4-1.

After playing Mt. Vernon on the road Tuesday, the Bulldogs are at home against Mineola Friday night.