MARSHVILLE

Markell Lotharp scored 16 of his game-high 20 points in the second half and added a blocked shot in the final seconds to help the Forest Hills High boys basketball team escape with a 59-58 home win over Central Academy on Tuesday.

Lotharp, a 6-foot-6 senior, also scored the game-winner.

With his team trailing by one, Lotharp stole the ball on CATA’s end of the court and later converted an offensive rebound into a layup for the final points of the game with 23.5 seconds to play.

The Cougars (5-10, 3-6 RRC) had one last chance, but Lotharp blocked LaDarius Linen’s runner in the lane and Brandon Glenn grabbed the ball and ran out the clock for Forest Hills (10-8, 8-3 RRC).

“We talked at halftime about somebody taking over the leadership role, and Markell did in the second half,” said Forest Hills coach Warren Taylor. “(Central Academy) is improved and they played well. I was just proud the kids gutted it out at the end.”

CATA got back in the game by ending the third quarter on a 10-0 run sparked by the outside shooting of freshman guard Andrew London.

London not only converted two free throws during the run, but knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minute to give the Cougars a 46-43 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

The lead changed several times in the fourth, including once at the 50-second mark, when Darnell Hill scored on a layup off a pass from Matt Bartley for the Cougars’ final basket of the game.

Bartley finished with 14 points and nine rebounds while Hill and Linen ended with 11 points apiece. Hill also had 10 rebounds.

Brandon Glenn scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Forest Hills, while teammate Dre Huntley finished with 13 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and five steals.

Adams leads Jackets

Kinya Adams recorded game-highs of 24 points and 18 rebounds to lead Forest Hills’ girls to a 41-37 win over Central Academy.

Adams scored 10 points in the first quarter, helping the Jackets jump out to an early 15-6 lead.

The Cougars clawed their way back in the game behind the hot shooting of senior guard Larie Bailey, who finished with a team-high 18 points.

Sherita Thomas added seven points for Forest Hills, while Jasmine Huntley posted nine points and eight rebounds for CATA.

Both teams are back in action on Friday. The Yellow Jackets host Cuthbertson while the Cougars travel to North Stanly.