Exciting Home Opener for Mid-Carolina Rebels Ends in Nail-Biter Victory
PROSPERITY, S.C. — The Mid-Carolina Rebels undoubtedly heated things up on a chilly December evening as they kicked off their 2024-25 boys’ varsity basketball season with an electrifying win. In a closely contested match against the Saluda Tigers on Tuesday, December 3rd, the Rebels managed to clinch a thrilling 51-50 victory.
From the jump, it was clear that both teams came ready to battle. The Tigers, known for their scrappy and relentless style, jumped out to an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a score of 11-6 over the Rebels. Mid-Carolina seemed a bit off-kilter, struggling against Saluda’s stout ball pressure in the early stages.
However, the Rebels found their rhythm midway through the second quarter, staging a comeback that had the home crowd buzzing. They went on to close out the first half strong, executing an impressive 11-3 run, ultimately taking a slim 19-17 lead into halftime.
Kaden Myers Shines in the Second Half
When the second half rolled around, it was evident that the Rebels’ senior guard, Kaden Myers, was ready to make an impact. After only scoring a point from a free throw in the first half, Myers exploded for 18 points in the second half alone! He kicked off his big night with a strong drive to the basket and followed it up with a critical three-pointer on the next possession.
In addition to his shooting prowess, Myers proved to be a crucial asset in the third quarter by notching three trips to the free-throw line, converting three of six attempts and contributing eight points in the quarter.
Despite Myers’ efforts, the Rebels found themselves trailing slightly, with the scoreboard reading 32-30 as they headed into the final quarter of play. The tension was palpable as both teams recognized what was at stake.
Jaquon McKinney’s Late-Game Heroics
As the fourth quarter progressed, the Rebels knew they had to step it up, and Jaquon McKinney, a junior big man making his varsity debut, didn’t disappoint. McKinney, who scored just five points in the first half, turned on the afterburners, scoring 11 of his 16 points in the final frame. With the Tigers having established their largest lead of the game at 43-35 with just five minutes left to play, the Rebels were feeling the pressure.
Saluda initially took a commanding 39-32 lead, but Myers continued to showcase his clutch shooting, nailing a timely three-pointer to ignite a run for the Rebels. After a timeout, it was McKinney who stole the show, scoring three big buckets inside that helped inch Mid-Carolina closer, culminating in an 11-3 run that tied the game at 46-46.
Final Moments Full of Drama
With the clock winding down, Saluda regained the lead with a big three-pointer, but it was McKinney who stepped up to give the Rebels a 51-50 lead with just about ten seconds remaining. Tension filled the air as the Tigers looked to set up a final play after making one out of two free throws, which could have provided them a critical three-point cushion.
In the waning moments, Saluda managed to get a good look inside, but their shot rimmed out, and a follow-up attempt missed as well, sealing the game for Mid-Carolina as time expired. Coach Kevin Winch expressed relief but acknowledged the importance of securing rebounds in those final moments—even though they hadn’t quite boxed out the way he instructed.
“It worked out in our favor though. Our guys forced some turnovers and made them uncomfortable, which was key,” said Winch, demonstrating pride in how his team handled the defensive pressure.
As the Rebels gear up for their next battle, they will hit the road to face Aiken on Thursday, December 5th, followed by a challenging three-game stretch at home against Woodruff on December 9th and concluding with a fierce matchup against cross-town rivals Newberry on December 13th.
