Charlotte boys basketball keeps league championship dreams in reach behind Braden Hill
CHARLOTTE — Braden Hill was one of the driving forces on the football field in the fall as Charlotte put together its best season since 2004 with nine wins and a district finals appearance.
The Saginaw Valley football commit and senior believes the Orioles are also capable of making noise on the basketball court.
And his play this winter has helped Charlotte do just that.
Hill has followed up an all-state football season by being the leading scorer on the hardwood. He delivered another strong performance Friday to help keep the Orioles in the thick of the CAAC White race.
Hill had a game-high 24 points to help Charlotte knock off Sexton, 61-50, for a key White victory.
The win kept the Orioles (8-4, 5-1) a game behind league leader Ionia, which beat Lansing Catholic at home Friday.
More:Late free throws help Ionia boys basketball secure league victory over Lansing Catholic
"Our biggest goal from the start was conference champs, obviously, and losing to Ionia was a big setback," Hill said. "We needed to win this game to stay in reach of that goal. We just did what we did, took care of business and got it done."
Charlotte took care of business with a big second half to move a victory away from matching its win total from last season. Hill played a big role, scoring 18 points in the second half while helping the Orioles erase a nine-point halftime deficit.
Hill had a stretch in the third quarter when he scored nine straight points. He scored most of those by attacking the basket, but also knocked down a 3-pointer.
"Braden Hill just wears you down," Charlotte coach Tom Fleming said. "He's an incredible athlete and a very special player. We're fortunate to have him here at Charlotte.
"He loves to win and he loves to compete, period."
Hill also knocked down all six of his free throw attempts in the final 2:23 while helping the Orioles close out the win
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Ben Buzzard had 12 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, and Cutler Brandt added 10 points as the Orioles outscored Sexton 42-23 after the intermission.
"(It's just) perseverance with this squad," Fleming said. "They know what's at stake and they know it's been a long time here at Charlotte (for this type of success). They feel like they can get it done."
Freshman Keyshawn Summerville had 15 points, including 10 in the opening half, to lead Sexton (7-8, 3-3).
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Charlotte boys basketball takes down Sexton with big second half
