FHHS Boys Basketball Toughs Out Win Over Beach Channel, 50-48

After a on Tuesday, the Forest Hills High School boys basketball team could not wait to get back into action at home against Beach Channel High School Thursday night. The Rangers had another fight on their hands against the struggling but dangerous Dolphins.

With the Forest Hills student body on hand taunting the away team, a hard fought battle ensued and Forest Hills prevailed 50-48 to improve their record to 4-2.

Hero: After going into halftime tied, Forest Hills senior forward Rudy Collins took his game to another level, helping his team go on a 6-0 run in the beginning of the third quarter. While the team struggled at times defensively in the third and fourth, Collins came up big, scoring the majority of his 15 points and adding 13 rebounds in the second half.

Turning Point: The Rangers gave up a 9-point lead midway through the fourth, letting the Dolphins take off on a 12-4 run over the final frame's first four minutes.

Forest Hills senior Denzel Dulin became the savior for the Rangers in their time of need. Whether it was getting a rebound on offense or preventing his man from scoring, Dulin stepped up on defense and offense late to push his team over the top. He finished the game with nine points.

Quotable: “We had a nine point lead looking pretty, and they’re a solid, good half court team,” Forest Hills head coach Ben Chobhaphand said. “We play everybody in our conference. There is no walk through.”

Coming out of a timeout with just eight seconds to go in the fourth, Beach Channel had a chance to tie the game but lost a turnover, which left head coach Jim Malone almost speechless.

“The last play of the game was indicative of our whole year,” Malone said.

Bottom Line: The fourth quarter was Forest Hills' for the taking, but lackluster defense early let the Dolphins back into the game.

Forest Hills used its press to force key turnovers late, including the last of the game to seal a much-needed victory at home in front of the Ranger faithful.

Who’s Next: Forest Hills will travel to Cardozo High School Friday at 7:15 p.m.

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