Bluffton still has May River’s number in boys basketball, albeit by the narrowest of margins.
The Bobcats ran their winning streak in the crosstown rivalry to five games with a 54-52 victory Friday.
Tyler Rice scored 14 points, Lee Kirkland added 11, and Eric Eastham had 10 to lead the Bobcats to their fifth consecutive win over the Sharks — though they’ve come by a combined 11 points and none have been decided by more than four points.
Nonetheless, the end result is all that counts.
“I’m 3-0 against them in two years,” Rice said. “It always means more than any other win.”
Rice played as if there was more on the line than usual, ripping down rebounds, and the Bobcats did their best to limit May River star Harry Cash.
Cash still managed 17 points, and Jakii Morrow added 12 for the Sharks, who struggled to get back in it after allowing the Bobcats to open the second half with a 10-0 run to go up 34-24.
The Bobcats had difficulty closing it out at the free-throw line, allowing May River to claw back within a basket in the final seconds, but the Sharks ran out of time.
Bluffton (3-1) travels to Battery Creek at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. May River (1-1) hosts Hilton Head High at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
