ASKEWVILLE – A pesky Wanchese squad wouldn’t go away.

Bethel Assembly Christian Academy’s varsity boys jumped out to an early 11-4 edge, but the rival Warriors hung around to the very end when a Ricky Feher field goal spelled the end of any comeback and helped the Eagles claim a 43-35 victory.

&uot;I thought we played excellent defense,&uot; BACA basketball boss Joe Mizelle said. &uot;Our offense was off a little, but the defense played well.

&uot;We were able to use a 3-2 split on defense until we lost Webb (Hoggard) to fouls, but then I went to the press because we weren’t in any more foul trouble,&uot; he added.

The Warriors climbed to within six (36-30) with just over a minute to play in the fourth quarter, but Mizelle’s timeout seemed to spark the Eagles.

Feher’s hoop followed by a pair of free throws from John Taylor 20 seconds later gave the Eagles a 40-32 advantage with 34 seconds to play.

Bethel sophomore Trey Denton then hit a bucket and a free throw after being fouled to seal the victory.

Early on it was all Eagles as Bethel raced out to an 11-4 edge after one period of play.

Feher sparked the run with a pair of treys before Denton and Taylor hit a bucket each and Denton hit 1-of-2 from the line.

Larry Caldwell and Denton hit consecutive hoops to open the second period and push the Eagles’ lead to 15-4.

The Warriors trimmed the margin to seven (20-13) by the intermission thanks to a trey each from the hands of Jessiah Rudolph and Bryan Burrus.

Wanchese went on a 5-0 run late in the third period to trim the BACA lead to 22-19. Tucker Simpson and Malcolm Jones each had a hoop during the stretch.

Hoggard was able to help extend the lead back to five thanks to a field goal and a free throw.

The Bethel lead reached double figures (36-22) midway through the fourth quarter, but an 8-0 Wanchese run cut it to six before Mizelle’s timeout.

The win lifts the Eagles to 2-0 in the conference and 10-12 overall.

&uot;I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,&uot; Mizelle said after the contest. &uot;The guys seem to be peaking at the right time.&uot;

Bethel (43)

Ricky Feher – 14, Trey Denton – 14, J. Taylor – 6, L. Caldwell – 4, W. Hoggard – 3, F. Feher – 2

Wanchese (35)

Bryan Burrus – 12, Jessiah Rudolph – 12, T. Simpson – 6, G. Etheridge – 2, M. Jones – 2, J. Ballance – 1