The Columbia Eagles outscored the Stone Mountain Pirates 30-20 in the second half to clinch a 46-36 victory in the DeKalb County Middle School Basketball Championships boys’ consolation game at Miller Grove High School on Saturday.
The two teams went into the half tied at 16-16 as Stone Mountain’s Malik Hinton hit a pull-up jumper from 12 feet just before second quarter ended.
Quavontae Morris broke a 20-20 tie on a free throw with 2:36 left in the third quarter and added two more from the line to put the Eagles (15-2) up 23-20 on the Pirates (11-6) heading into the final quarter of play.
Sanchez Brown opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to extend the lead to six, but the Pirates would rally back within 28-27 with 3:49 to play on a basket by Devin Sheppard.
Brown had another three to go with another basket and Morris added two free throws and a steal for another score as the lead was upped to 39-31 with 3:32 remaining.
Mekhi Turner scored three points and Brown added a steal for an easy layup as the lead climbed to 43-32 with 1:20 to play. Sheppard hit a pair of free throws and Judah Blyden hit a basket to cut the lead to seven (43-36) with 18 seconds remaining.
Thomas Alemu hit a three-pointer for the final 46-36.
Brown finished with 14 points to lead Columbia. Jamarcus Hatcher added 10 points and eight rebounds and Morris joined the pair in double figures with 10 points.
Sheppard led the Pirates with a game-high 16 points and teammate Daelin Porter hit for 9 points and grabbed seven rebounds.