In a thrilling non-conference matchup, the Broughton Capitals staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Sanderson Spartans 57-51 on Tuesday. Trailing for much of the game, the Capitals found an extra gear in the latter stages, powered by a stellar performance from junior five-star guard Jordan Page.
Page Dominates Despite Injury Scare
Jordan Page was the undisputed leader for Broughton, pouring in a game-high 22 points. Crucially, 14 of those points came in the second half, igniting the Capitals’ rally. Despite a scare when Page limped off the floor with over six minutes remaining and his team trailing 47-39, he returned to the game with just over five minutes left and Broughton down by five. His presence immediately revitalized the team, as he sank a critical three-pointer to narrow the deficit to 49-48 with just over three minutes remaining.
A Tale of Two Halves and Buzzer-Beaters
Sanderson held a significant advantage for much of the contest. Luke Blevins extended their lead to its largest margin, 42-33, with a three-pointer late in the third quarter. However, Page responded with a personal 6-0 run to bring Broughton back within striking distance. The Spartans managed to regain the lead heading into the final quarter, with Massiah Murphy hitting a three-pointer at the buzzer to make it 45-39. This was the third buzzer-beater of the game for Sanderson, with Malakhi Murphy also contributing at the end of both the first and second quarters.
Broughton’s Fourth-Quarter Surge
With Page back on the court, Broughton’s offense found its rhythm. Senior Hudson Fitzgerald provided a crucial boost, hitting an outside shot with just over two minutes left to give the Capitals their first lead of the second half, 51-50. From there, Broughton’s defense tightened, and their free-throw shooting proved clutch.
Sanderson’s scoring stalled in the final minutes, with Massiah Murphy managing their only point via a free throw. Broughton, meanwhile, executed effectively from the charity stripe. Fitzgerald and junior guard Sam Freeman each made a free throw on separate possessions. An offensive rebound by Page off a Freeman miss led to another foul, and Page calmly sank both free throws. Page and Fitzgerald each added another free throw to seal the six-point victory.
Season Standings and Key Performances
The win improves Broughton’s overall record to 5-4 on the season. Notably, all four of their losses have come against out-of-state opponents, highlighting their strength in regional competition. Sanderson, after the loss, now stands at 3-4 overall.
Box Score Breakdown
| Quarter | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanderson | 20 | 10 | 15 | 6 | 51 |
| Broughton | 17 | 8 | 14 | 18 | 57 |
Individual Scoring Leaders
Sanderson (3-4), 51 Points
* Massiah Murphy – 17
* Blevins – 10
* Pulley – 10
* Malakhi Murphy – 8
* Mills – 5
* Renk – 5
Broughton (5-4), 57 Points
* Page – 22
* Fitzgerald – 8
* Hatem – 8
* Bowen – 5
* Tuttle – 5
* Youngs – 5
* Coleman – 2
* Freeman – 2
The resilience shown by the Broughton Capitals, particularly in the face of a deficit and an injury scare to their star player, underscores their determination and potential for the remainder of the season. The Spartans, despite strong periods of play, will look to regroup and address their scoring struggles in the crucial final minutes of close games.
