Guards take turns leading Bruins

Saturday, January 26, 2013

— When Pulaski Academy junior guard Marcus Wallace fouled out late in the fourth quarter Friday night at Mills, it was not panic time for the Bruins.

They just handed the ball to senior Brandon Brady, who guided them home for a 44-35 5A-Central victory over the Comets.

“We did not get Marcus back until January because of a broken finger, so Brandon ran a lot of the point,” Pulaski Academy Coach Roger Franks said. “They are interchangeable. They can both play the point and the 2 guard.

“It is good to have a 2 guard like that against a team like Mills that can pressure you all over the floor. They come after you all the time.”

Wallace led the Bruins with 15 points and Brady added 14, but it was Wallace who took over when the Comets made a fourth-quarter charge at the Bruins (8-5, 5-2).

Pulaski Academy led 32-31 with 5:11 left, then Wallace made two free throws to build the lead to 34-31. Wallace broke the Comets’ pressure and made a short running bank shot for a 36-31 lead with 3:59 left. He broke the pressure again 40 seconds later and this time fed bullish Marcus Colquit for a layup and a 38-31 advantage.

Wallace drew his fifth foul with 1:41 to play and the Bruins leading 38-35.

Enter Brady, who became the primary ball-handler as Pulaski Academy spread the floor and worked the clock.

Junior Chad Michaels hit two free throws to build the lead to 40-35 with 36.7 seconds left.

Brady, who was 7 of 8 from the free-throw line, made four more free throws to extend the final margin.

Saquon Fletcher led Mills with 11 points. Cornelius Jordan scored seven and Devin Campbell 6.

Sports, Pages 26 on 01/26/2013