Durrah returns from injury to help Greer beat Eastside

Bradyn Durrah’s three-point play with eight seconds remaining gave Greer a crucial 50-47 region victory over Eastside. The game was Durrah’s first since returning from injury.

Greer head coach Devin Liferidge thought senior center Bradyn Durrah was feeling 80 percent.

Right before the game, Durrah himself told him it was probably closer to 70. Afterward, Durrah’s parents estimated his health to be around 60.

The magic number for Durrah turned out to be 50.

Freshly recovered from a groin injury obtained against Wade Hampton on Jan. 5, Durrah returned to the Greer lineup for a crucial region matchup against Eastside on Friday night.

His three-point play with eight seconds remaining gave Greer a hard-fought 50-47 win.

“Bradyn scared me a little bit before the game,” said Liferidge of his 6-foot-7 senior. “He told me he was feeling 70 percent. I was hoping for a higher number. But once he got moving, it was easier to see how he was feeling.”

“When I first got into the game, my [groin] was really bothering me,” said Durrah. “But once the adrenaline started picking up in the second half, that’s when the pain started going away.”

Both teams struggled from the field throughout the game. There seemed to be a lid on the basket for much of the contest as the two prolific offensive units combined for under 100 points.

Eastside’s 47-point showing was its lowest game total of the season. Greer’s 50-point performance was good for its second-worst outing of the year.

The defensive intensity was through the roof both ways, with both teams knowing how hard baskets were to come by.

On Greer’s final possession of the game, Eastside committed multiple defenders to Greer point guard Amare Anderson as he drove down the lane. Anderson slid the ball to an open Durrah underneath the basket.

Durrah was hacked on the way up but finished off the glass through contact, nailing the subsequent free throw to give Greer a 50-47 lead with eight seconds remaining.

“That play was actually supposed to be for Amare,” said Durrah. “I knew my man was probably going to help on Amare, so I just wanted to make sure I was in the right spot.”

Durrah didn’t start the game out of precaution, but he played every minute of the second half. His paint presence and ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting ability could prove vital for the Jackets’ success as the season rolls on.

Liferidge was visibly proud of Durrah as he embraced him after the game.

“Man, he’s still gimping and limping around, if we’re being honest. But he won’t say that. He’s a senior and showed incredible leadership to gut this one out tonight,” said Liferidge. “He’s been playing basketball in this gym for four years. You’re going to have to drag him off the floor.”

Durrah said he was determined to make the most of his first game back.

“I missed the Greenville game last week, and that was one I really hated to miss,” said Durrah. “So I just told myself I would play this game no matter what. And this feels great. I really couldn’t be happier right now.”

THE SCORE BY QUARTERS
Eastside 9 14 12 12 - 47
Greer 12 17 8 13 - 50

GREER STAT LEADERS
Amare Anderson - 13 points
Brayden Lytes - 7 points
Isaiah Henry - 6 points

EASTSIDE STAT LEADERS
Justin Ray - 17 points
Matthew Roberts - 15 points
MJ Posey - 6 points