Madison Middle turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and rallied for a 45-33 win over Polk Middle in a Blue Ridge Conference boys basketball battle at Polk.

The Wolverines held a 14-13 lead at halftime in the season opener for both teams. But the Patriots opened the third period with 11 straight points, taking advantage of Polk turnovers to build a 24-14 lead midway through the quarter.

Mackus Simpson stopped the run with a 3-pointer, and Cole Pereira followed with a jumper to make it 24-19, with Gunnar Alm adding a 3-pointer late in the quarter to keep Polk within six.

Madison stretched the lead to eight early in the fourth, and Polk Middle could get no closer than six the rest of the way.

Simpson had 11 points to lead Polk Middle, with Alm scoring nine on three 3-pointers. Pereira finished with five points, with Antonio Simpson adding four, Lawson Carter scoring three and Reilly Yoder adding one.

The Wolverines returned to their home court on Thursday, hosting Apple Valley.

– Submitted by PolkSports.com