Candler Williams scores 20 as Merry Acres rallies past Lee West 42-38

ALBANY — The Merry Acres girls scored the first 12 points Monday afternoon. The boys had to come back from 10 down. Both ended up with a win.

The Merry Acres girls beat Lee West 25-4, and the Braves turned up the pressure in the second half to pull out a 42-38 win in the boys’ game. Candler Williams led all scorers with 20 points, including the 3-pointer that gave Merry Acres its first lead with 4:25 to play.

Lee West set the pace early, beating Merry Acres down the floor for fast-break baskets while the Braves struggled to get their shots to fall. Paul Sawyer hit a 3-pointer midway through the first quarter to put Lee West up 9-4, and the Trojans led 15-6 by the end of the period.

Princeton Atkins hit his first basket, a long 3-pointer, midway through the second quarter to cut the deficit to 19-12. Lee West still led 21-14 at halftime, and Sawyer opened the second half with another 3 to make it 24-14.

Then the Merry Acres press forced three straight turnovers. The Braves cut the gap to 28-21, the home crowd came alive, and Lee West coach Kai Hamilton called timeout. The Trojans took a 28-23 lead into the final six minutes.

Atkins opened the fourth with a basket, then stole the ball on the press and scored again. He drew a foul on the play and made the free throw to tie the game at 28. Williams buried a 3-pointer to put Merry Acres ahead 31-29 with 4:25 left. The Braves stretched the lead to 35-29 before Sawyer answered from beyond the arc.

Lee West had one more chance. Michael Hill Jr. made two free throws with less than a minute left to make it 39-36. The Trojans stole the ensuing inbound pass but missed the shot. Forced to foul, Lee West sent Merry Acres to the line, where the Braves made three of four free throws to finish the comeback.

Atkins finished with 16 points. Sawyer led Lee West with 13, and Trent Mathis added eight.