The Rebels had lost seven straight before knocking off the No. 9 Bulldogs on Monday.
GREENVILLE — The good news for the Byrnes High boys basketball team Monday was that it snapped a losing streak. The better news was that it did so in such a way that every player participated.
Nick Hernandez scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Rebels past Berea, 81-53, in the Prep Hoops Showcase at Greenville High. After starting the season 6-2, Byrnes had lost seven straight games entering Monday’s game against a Berea team ranked No. 9 in Class 3A.
“I thought our kids really got after it defensively early. I was most proud of the fact that we shared the ball pretty well. Everybody was making the extra pass and when we do that, we’re pretty good,” Byrnes coach Layne Fowler said. “(Berea coach) Jeff (Maness) does a great job and they always have good teams. I think they’re a little injury-plagued right now.
“In my 18 years of coaching, that’s (seven-game skid) probably the most ever. The good part is our kids have fought hard throughout. … Today, hopefully is a step back in the right direction as we get back in region play Friday.”
Hernandez got things started going for the Rebels with 12 points in the first quarter. That included a traditional four-point play and a not-so-traditional one. After Hernandez drew a foul, Berea was called for a technical and Hernadez sank all four foul shots. Josh Moore made it a six-point possession with a putback that staked Byrnes to a 21-5 lead.
Davonte Wright and Moore combined for 14 of Byrnes’ 17 second-quarter points as the Rebels held a 40-23 lead at the break.
Coming out of halftime, Byrnes put on a clinic. Hernandez’ final shot of the day was a 3-pointer that gave the Rebels a 55-28 lead midway through the period. Byrnes had assists on each of its first six field goals of the second half, including four by Moore. Thanks in large part to nine layups, the Rebels finished with 29 points in the quarter and led by as many as 39. Byrnes totaled 19 assists in the game.
“I actually complimented the starters when they came out in the third for the way they played after halftime. They did a really good job of staying focused,” Fowler said. “Josh probably creates our toughest matchup. He’s an undersized post in height, but he can put it on the floor, he creates for others, rebounds and usually guards the biggest player.”
Hernandez was one of four Rebels who scored in double figures. Wright finished with 16 points and four assists, while Moore had 10 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Reserve Kobe Moss also scored 10 points, all in the fourth quarter.
“It just felt good to go out there, play defense and team ball and get back on track,” Moore said. “We’re not the biggest team, so we have to play together and share the ball.”
Jermarkus Boozer scored 15 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to lead Berea. Ta’mious Young added 14 points for the Bulldogs.