The Albemarle men’s basketball team won 59-53 in its season opener Nov. 20 at Anson.

Malachi Baldwin made crucial free throws late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Bulldogs. Baldwin led four in double figures for Albemarle with 15 points.

Cameron Williams added 11 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Brandon Christian posted a double-double for Albemarle with 10 points and 10 boards, adding four blocks. Freshman Marc Raye Jr. nearly had a double-double, finishing with 10 points and eight assists, along with three rebounds and three steals.

Anson jumped out strong and led the Bulldogs 7-2 before Raye called a timeout and made some adjustments.

The Bulldogs then tied the game at 13 before taking the lead never trailing again, leading by as much as 16 in the game.

John Ingram had a strong performance for Anson High, leading the Bearcats with 15 points.

Anson was playing the game without head coach Termell Middlebrooks, who had been ejected from the Bearcats’ game the night before and was serving a suspension.

For the first three minutes of the second quarter, the Bulldogs were aggressive and began trapping and causing the Bearcats to turn the ball over. Albemarle capitalized off the Bearcats mistakes and went into halftime with a 33-26 lead.

Marc Raye Jr. and Gage Dennis gave an instant spark off the bench and their play was pivotal for the Bulldogs, according to coach Raye. The coach also said freshman Ali Currie “gave the Bulldogs some great defensive stances and snagged in a few rebounds as well.”

Missed layup, free throws and turnovers from the Bulldogs allowed the Bearcats to claw into the lead.

The two teams will rematch on Friday at Albemarle, but the Bulldogs return to the court Wednesday for a home game against West Stanly. The Colts won the team’s season opener Nov. 20 at Gray Stone.

Regarding the game with Anson, Coach Raye said he “expects a war between the two teams.”

A     13 20 11  15   59
AC  11   5   7  20   53

A – Malachi Baldwin 15, Cameron Williams 11, Brandon Christian 10, Marc Raye, Jr. 10, Horne 8, Currie 3, Dennis 2.
AC – John Ingram 15, D. Shuler 10, Manor 9, Carpenter 8, Sanderson 5, S. Ingram 3, Wall 2, McRae 1.