CREEKSVILLE – Northampton-East came back from a first half deficit to take a 53-50 victory over in-county rival Northampton-West here Friday.

West clung to a one-point lead (20-19) going into the second half after leading by as many as seven. A quick basket by Travois Banks gave West a three-point lead by Lamar Phillips hit from three to tie the score at 22.

Chris Smith took a steal to the hoop for two. Josh Reddish scored a basket and three free throws and Phillips added another as East took a 27-24 lead, their first since 2:33 remained in the first quarter.

Following a Smith bucket, East’s James Jefferson converted a three-point play.

Erel Jordan added a basket to give the Rams a six-point lead.

Quinton Turner scored a three-point play to cut the lead to three. Jordan took the ball coast-to-coast for two giving East a 34-29 advantage to end the third.

West had been playing a full-court press and continued pressure the Rams.

The teams traded baskets before Keith Garner sank a trey for West.

Jefferson scored a basket after grabbing the offensive rebound.

West’s defense forced three straight East turnovers which the Hurricanes turned into six points, tying the score at 38. Banks scored a bucket and foul shot to pull West out front, 41-38.

East coach Donald Gibbs called a timeout to give his team a chance to regroup.

Coming off the timeout Reddish faked a pass as he took the ball down the lane for two.

Randy Turner sank two Hurricane free throws to keep West ahead by three.

Reddish found the basket for two deuces and Derryl Anderson took a steal in for two as East retook the lead, 46-43.

Over the next two minutes the game was played from the foul line as seven fouls were whistled.

With 25 seconds remaining East clung to a 50-46 lead.

Following a Rams turnover in the backcourt Tuner scored two to cut the lead to a basket.

Anderson sank a foul shot and Phillips sank two for a five-point East advantage.

Turner scored just before the buzzer as East held on to win, 53-50.

Jefferson had a double-double, scoring 14 points and pulling down 14 boards.

Reddish also had 14 for the Rams followed by Phillips with 12.

Smith led the Hurricanes with 14 points.

Banks added 10.

The junior varsity game went to overtime as West defeated East 59-51.

East (53):

James Jefferson n 14, Josh Reddish n 14, Lamar Phillips n 12, D. Anderson n 5, E. Jordan n 4, B. Ward n 4

West (50):

Chris Smith n 14, Travios Banks n 10, K. Garner n 9, R. Turner n 8, Q. Turner n 7, M. Peebles – 2