SOUTH POINT — With the big trio reduced to two, one player led the way.

J.T. Terry, one of three returning starters for South Point, missed Tuesday’s game due to a strained knee. However, Jeremiah Taylor helped spark a 53-50 win over the Portsmouth East Tartans.

Taylor had 18 points and nine rebounds as the Pointers improved to 2-0.

“We didn’t have Terry, but Jeremiah picked up the slack,” Pointers coach Gary Norris said.

Chase McWhorter, another returning starter, had six points and six assists to aid the win and Heath Bridges scored 12 points.

South Point held a slim 14-12 lead after the first quarter and fell behind 29-27 at the half.

But Bridges scored eight points in the third quarter as South Point rallied to take a 42-41 lead.

Taylor had key points in the fourth quarter as the Pointers built a 9-point lead. Nathan Webb hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute to get East within three points.

Terry is expected to play Friday when the Pointers visit Chesapeake in a key Ohio Valley Conference game.

Ports. East1217912=50

South Point14131511=53

PORTSMOUTH EAST (0-2):

Jeff Swick 1 2 7-7 15, Nathan Webb 1 4 0-0 14, Brent Downing 0 3 0-0 9, John Luther 3 1 1-1 10, Alex Shope 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 6 12

8-8

50. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.

SOUTH POINT (2-0):

Heath Bridges 3 2 0-2 12, Kyle Hughes 1 0 0-0 2, Aaron Barnett 1 1 0-0 5, Beau Weed 0 1 0-0 3, Jerrell Dean 1 0 0-4 2, Zach Woody 0 0 1-2 1, Joey Stevens 2 0 0-0 4, Chase McWhorter 0 1 3-4 6, Jeremiah Taylor 8 0 2-2 18. Totals: 16

5

6-14

53. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.