Bainbridge-Guilford’s James Hogroian tries to move against Marathon defenders. Hogroian scored a team-high 20 points in the 53-49 loss to Marathon. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

BAINBRIDGE – The Bainbridge-Guilford Bobcats boys’ basketball team has had quite a tough schedule this season, but their consistent efforts throughout the year earned them a home game for sectionals. B-G faced off against Marathon in the opening round of the Section IV, Class C tournament.

The Bobcats, who lead at halftime and at the end of the third quarter, fell in the final minutes 53-49 to a tough Olympians team.

Both teams started off slow, but tough on defense, which only sparked an intense game. Both teams also shared their struggles of driving to the basket early on. Marathon had to put up some long shots and BG was finally able to finish after picking up multiple offensive rebounds. B-G pushed through in the second quarter, where they were able to move James Hogroian directly under the basket against tough defenders, who held him in the first quarter. With help from James, Isaiah Hampton’s defensive rebounds, Arien Sherman’s blocks, and Timmy Kinter’s three-pointer, B-G took a 22-14 lead at halftime.

While that lead was comfortable, it didn’t stick as Marathon only fired up in the third quarter. The Olympians pressured on defense and forced the Bobcats into foul troubles. B-G was able to hold a three-point lead with Hogroian scoring nine of his total 20 points in those eight minutes. Hogroian averaged 21.1 points per game throughout the season.

The game came down to the fourth quarter, where Marathon was off to hot start and took the lead with their scoring leader, Jacob Byron laying down back-to-back three’s to start the quarter. B-G was sent to the foul line six times, but struggled as they only made four-of 12 free throws. However, the Bobcats got closer in the final moments with solid rebounding and a three-pointer from Arien Sherman in the final possession. Marathon, who had a seven-point lead with under five minutes to play, knocked in one final free throw as the clock expired.

B-G was led by James Hogroian with 20 points as Michael Lipani finished with nine points while Hampton had eight points. Sherman added seven points and Timmy Kinter contributed with five points in the loss.

Good season, Bobcats and best of luck to seniors James Hogroian, Giovanni Johnson, and Arien Sherman. B-G finished the 2023-2024 season with an 11-10 record.

Scores by quarter:

MA 10 4 19 20—53

BG 9 13 14 13–49

MA: Jacob Byron 18, Colton Oram 9, Camdyn Kashuba 9, Zach Birdsall 8, Blake Birdsall 5, Austin Poth 4.

BG: James Hogroian 20, Michael Lipani 9, Isaiah Hampton 8, Arien Sherman 7, Timmy Kinter 5.

Three-pointers: MA 5 (Byron 3, Kashuba, Oram); BG 4 (Hogroian, Hampton, Kinter, Sherman).