Following a two-day holiday hiatus, the Brownstown Central boys basketball team returned to action Friday at the Graber Post Buildings Classic tournament at North Daviess High School.

With a 77-45 win under their belt against Clay City on Monday, the Braves faced Rock Creek Academy in Friday’s semifinals.

The Braves led the entire way against the Lions and came away with a 59-47 win to advance to today’s finals.

In the first quarter, the Braves outscored the Lions 12-11 to take the early lead.

Then, the Braves’ defense locked in and created a number of turnovers that led to transition buckets. The Braves outscored the Lions 16-5 to take a 28-16 lead heading into the intermission.

“We moved the ball really well,” Braves coach Dave Benter said. “We were very efficient on offense and played transition basketball well.”

After intermission, the Braves preserved their lead through putting 19 points up to the Lions’ 18 in the third quarter.

From then on, the Braves cruised to their fifth straight win.

Braves senior Cole Borden finished with a season-high 18 points on seven field goals, including two 3-pointers and two made free throws.

“(Borden) did a really nice job moving without the basketball,” Benter said. “He moved well and shot the basketball in scoring position. He was patient and let the offense come to him.”

Zach McCory finished with 14 points for the Braves, and post player Cam Shoemaker recorded 10 on the night .

The Braves out-rebounded the Lions 24 to 21 on the night. Shoemaker led the battle of the boards with eight rebounds while Borden and Shade each recorded four boards.

As of Tuesday’s rankings by The Associated Press, the Braves sit sixth in Class 3A.

The Braves will face Class A Orleans in the finals at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

“Orleans is a strong team. We will have to come out and play well to beat them,” Benter said.