By TREY HICKMAN/For the Reporter

BESSEMER — Jaylon Winston scored the first bucket of the final quarter to put Bessemer Academy up by a point and the host team never trailed again, completing a 58-54 comeback victory over Coosa Valley Academy in AISA varisty boys basketball Jan. 24.

Bessemer Academy took an 11-9 advantage into the second quarter before Coosa Valley fought back thanks in great part to Blake Gossett. Gossett scored nine points during the period, including a basket at the buzzer to end the opening half as the visiting Rebels carried a 30-23 lead into intermission.

Long-range shooting by the host Rebels’ Juan Allen helped bring Bessemer Academy back in the third quarter. Allen nailed a pair of 3-pointers in that period as the Coosa Valley lead was shaved to a point as the fourth quarter kicked off.

Winston scored the final period’s first six points, including the quarter’s first basket that put Bessemer Academy up 41-40. Following two free throws by Coosa Valley’s Austin Brauer, Gossett snagged a steal and drove in for the score to cut the Bessemer Academy advantage to 45-44.

That was as close as the visitors would get the rest of the way.

Gossett fouled out with 58.6 seconds left and Bessemer Academy leading 52-49. Tyler Warren later scored to cut the advantage to two before Bessemer Academy hit 5-of-6 free throws to ice the win.

While Bessemer Academy was able to secure the victory, Coosa Valley head coach Jonathan Gill took issue with his squad’s inability to do just that.

“The lack of execution as far as finishing the game, that’s where we’ve lacked in a lot of areas,” said Gill. “But we’ve come a long ways even though our record won’t necessarily reflect the heart of our players. They do play hard and they don’t ever give up.”

Despite his criticism of his own team, he was quick to throw credit the way of the opponent.

“(Bessemer Academy is) a pretty good team,” Gill said. “They’re big inside, and when they pack it in like that (with) a zone (defense), it’s tough to score, especially when our shooters — the guys that we do have — have tough nights.”

Austin Brauer led the way for Coosa Valley (5-15) with 22 points, followed by Gossett and his 19.

For Bessemer Academy (5-9), Allen had 18 points and 10 rebounds while Winston recorded 18 points and nine rebounds.