Rayburn's return lifts West Carter

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February 2, 2010

By BRANDON ROSEN / For The Independent The Daily Independent Tue Feb 02, 2010, 12:47 AM EST

SUMMIT — Boyd County has played some of its best basketball of the season recently, but hasn’t put enough together in the second half of those games to notch any victories.

On Monday, the Lions were finally able to put together a solid second-half, but it still it didn’t translate into a win as Boyd County fell to West Carter, 66-54.

West Carter jumped out to a quick start behind the return of junior guard Aaron Rayburn, who has been sidelined for six weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. He scored seven of his 11 total points on the Comets’ opening 13-2 run to set the tone early.

“Aaron didn’t make it through a full practice yesterday, but we wanted to get him out there in some limited minutes to slowly work him back in. Tonight was exactly what we needed,” West Carter coach Jeremy Webb said. “It was nice to see him out there, being assertive. He really got us going early. It’s definitely nice to have him back out on the floor because he gives our guys so much more confidence and someone to rely on — and I look forward to seeing where we go from here.”

Boyd County hung right in, though, and kept West Carter from running away with the game in the first half, keeping the deficit between six and ten points.

Freshman Brandon Lowe helped keep the Comets in check as he posted eight of his game-high 15 points in the first half.

Once again the Lions turned to their defense and were able to force seven second-half turnovers while outscoring West Carter 15-8 to open the fourth quarter, led by sophomore Jacob Mayse and junior Austin Rankin, who each scored six points in the comeback.

Mayse finished with 10 points and Rankin finished with 12 points to go along with six rebounds coming off of the bench for the Lions.

Boyd County (1-16) was able to pull within four at 54-50 after a Rankin score, but that’s as close as the Lions would get. West Carter (6-12) managed to force several late turnovers and knock down its free throws to finally put Boyd County away.

“Boyd County is playing very good defense and that’s where it starts for them,” Webb said. “It was because of them and their defensive intensity that kept us from getting too many good looks in the second half. And if they keep playing defense like that they are going to keep themselves in games. They are a much improved team from the beginning of the season and are starting to play some pretty good basketball. They could be a dangerous team to match up with the rest of the season.”

Sophomore Derrick Lawson led the way for the Comets with 14 points and nine rebounds. Rayburn and junior point guard Harrison Bond each added 11 points.

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