By Brayleigh Boggs
Carter County Times
East Carter and West Carter delivered exactly what a county rivalry should be on Friday night; a bruising, emotional, momentum-swinging battle that didn’t loosen its grip until the final horn. Behind relentless defense, transition offense, and timely shot-making, East Carter pulled away late for a 55-40 win that felt far closer than the final score indicated.
The intensity was evident from the opening tip when Colton McGuire (12) controlled the jump ball to Caden Tussey (15). Just moments later, McGuire set the tone defensively with a steal that led to the game’s first basket. West Carter answered immediately, as Brody Boggs (14) knocked down a three, and the back-and-forth rhythm was established early.
Thomas Burton (1) showcased his physicality and finesse with a tough one-handed runner, while West Carter’s Jamison Wagoner (31) and Boggs connected from deep to keep the Comets within striking distance. East Carter countered with hustle plays, McGuire fighting through multiple rebounds to earn a free throw, Tussey extending possessions on the offensive glass, and Grant Menix (10) finding Max Karle (11) for a layup to push East back in front.
Defense defined the first quarter. Burton swatted away a layup attempt, Menix secured the rebound, and McGuire finished a tough look in transition. McGuire added two free throws after drawing contact, helping East Carter take an 11-6 lead into the end of the first.
The second quarter belonged to East Carter’s defensive pressure. McGuire blocked multiple shots, including one that ignited a fast break finished by Menix. That run forced West Carter to call a timeout, trailing 16-6. Still, Boggs refused to let the game slip away, scoring inside and converting at the line while Nate Webb (33) added a three. Tussey answered with a three of his own and later drew a foul from Boggs, stretching East’s lead to 20-10.
West Carter made a late push before halftime. Boggs attacked the rim, Webb fired a long outlet to Boggs for another layup, and suddenly the deficit was down to five. But Menix answered again, driving through contact for a contested layup, sending East Carter into halftime ahead 24-17.
The third quarter was when East Carter really seized control. McGuire continued to dominate both ends, blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, and spinning through defenders for scores. Tussey calmly knocked down free throws, and McGuire buried a long three as the lead stretched. Menix added an “and-one,” while William Burton (5) also finished through contact. By the end of the quarter, East Carter had stretched its advantage to 41-28.
West Carter, however, continued to show fight in the fourth. Wade Lawson (32) scored in transition and later hit a long three. Nate Hale (24) added a reverse layup, and Webb chipped in from midrange. But every surge was met with an answer. East’s Thomas Burton drove strongly to the basket, Tussey found Menix cutting for easy finishes, and Karle drilled a corner three off a McGuire assist. When Boggs knocked down two more free throws and Webb connected from deep, East Carter calmly responded, closing the door at the line and in transition.
Menix finished the game with 18 points, using his speed and strength to finish in traffic and run the floor. McGuire was everywhere, posting 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds while anchoring the defense with multiple blocks. Tussey added eight points and eight rebounds, while Karle, William Burton, and Thomas Burton each chipped in five points.
For West Carter, Boggs led the way with 15 points, Webb followed with 11, and Lawson added nine. Wagoner, Hale, Peyton Nichols (5), and Tabor Tackett (53) contributed on the glass, but East Carter’s depth, discipline, and defensive intensity proved too much down the stretch.
In a rivalry game fueled by effort and emotion, East Carter made the final statement, turning defense into offense and walking away with a hard-earned 55-40 victory.
Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com
