By PATRICK CASEY
The Walton boys basketball team earned their first district win of the 2014-15 season with a 43-37 decision over Marianna on Thursday night.
The Braves trailed 8-6 after one quarter as both teams struggled to make shots early before the host squad went on a 13-4 run to take a 19-12 lead at the half.
Steven Harper provided a pair of three point shots while Cody Phillips and Nitro Gee were able to get inside and score to help the Braves jump out in front.
Marianna rallied in the third quarter as they hit 5-of-6 shots from the free throw line while the Braves went cold from the charity stripe, missing their first four shots in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs trailed 27-26 entering the fourth quarter but Walton was able to hold on for the win as the free throw shooting caught on over the final eight minutes with the home team making 8-of-12 shots while getting key inside buckets from Gee.
Gee finished with 11 points with freshman Juanyeh Thomas adding 10 and Harper nine. The Braves made 16-of-43 shots from the field and 8-of-16 from the line to earn their first win over Marianna in three seasons.
Marianna got 13 points from Clifford Scott and nine from Anton Williams as the Bulldogs fell to 5-13 overall in a season that has been plagued by injuries and lost opportunities for the Jackson County squad.
The Braves defense held Marianna to 13-of-42 shooting from the field while forcing 12 turnovers in a contest that was played at a half-court pace.
Walton (7-10) will play their final regular season district game at home on Friday night at 7 p.m. before heading off to Paxton on Saturday night to face the Bobcats in their Homecoming contest at 7 p.m.
While the Walton boys were hosting Marianna, the Lady Braves were on the road in Marianna. Senior center Krista McQueen overcame foul trouble in the first half to score 15 points with teammate Kayla Jackson adding 11 as Walton finished the regular season district slate undefeated for the fourth consecutive year with a 42-41 edging of the Bulldogs.
The Walton girls (10-9) will have a 10-day break between games as they are set to face tournament host Pensacola Catholic on Friday, Jan. 30.
Team Notes: Walton won the junior varsity boys contest 34-29. Marianna holds a 37-16 lead in the boys series dating back to the 1988-89 season.
