Miscues down the stretch cost Blacksburg

Travis Miller Blacksburg boys basketball coach Travis Miller had no complaint about his team's effort against Broome on Tuesday. But its decisionmaking down the stretch was another story in a 56-51 loss to the Centurions.

After Josh Elmore's free throw tied the game at 48, the Wildcats committed three straight turnovers in the game's final two minutes, including an errant pass that was converted into a 3-point play by Dijon Farr to extend Broome's advantage to four points.

The Wildcats then were forced to foul the Centurions, who iced the game by hitting 4 of 5 free throws.

"The effort is there. We showed good effort," Miller said. "We played wonderful defense, forcing 25 turnovers. But we have to execute and make better plays down the stretch."

Myron Mitchell had 13 points and Josh Elmore added 10 to lead the Wildcats, who fall to 1-4.

"We're getting better every time out," Miller said.

The Wildcats trimmed a four-point deficit at the end of the first quarter to trail 31-30 at the break.

The Centurions went on a spurt to lead by six in the third quarter. But the Wildcats answered to tie the game at 46 on Rashad Earls' 3-pointer and go ahead 48-46 on JJ Lattimore's layup.

Farr regained the lead for the Centurions with a couple of free throws.

The Wildcats return to region action Friday, hosting Whitmire.

In girls varsity action, Blacksburg's Malory Sanders had a team-high 11 points, including three 3- pointers but it wasn't enough in a 65-25 loss to Broome.

Tamyra Bell led the Lady Centurions with 12 points.