Fayetteville came alive Thursday night as Terry Sanford High School’s gym rocked with one of the best high school boys basketball games you’ll see all season. The Terry Sanford Bulldogs fought tooth and nail and pulled out a gripping victory over the Scotland Fighting Scots on February 19, 2026. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the energy never let up, and the home crowd left hoarse after watching their Bulldogs protect home court in front of a packed house.
The win felt huge for Terry Sanford, giving the team serious momentum heading into the final stretch of the season and possible playoff runs.
First Quarter Fireworks Set the Tone
The game started fast and physical. Early on, Terry Sanford junior Gaven Kraut showed why college scouts keep showing up. He rose high between Scotland’s Collin Hill and Zaymon Gibson and buried a tough shot in traffic that brought the gym to its feet. That single play told you everything about the night: no easy buckets, no backing down.
Both teams traded blows in the opening minutes. Scotland’s length made every trip down the floor a battle, but Terry Sanford’s guards kept attacking the rim and drawing fouls. By the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs held a slim lead and the feeling that this one would go down to the wire.
Bulldogs Pull Away Late
The third quarter belonged to Terry Sanford. After Scotland cut the lead to two, the Bulldogs answered with a quick 10-3 run fueled by tough defense and fast breaks. The home crowd fed off every steal and every transition bucket. When Scotland tried to slow the pace in the fourth, Terry Sanford’s veterans stayed calm, hit free throws, and closed it out like a team that knows how to win big games.
Scotland never quit; that’s what makes them dangerous. Hill and Gibson battled all night in the paint, and their guards kept firing threes that kept the pressure on. But on this night, Terry Sanford simply wanted it more.
Gaven Kraut Shines Under Bright Lights
Make no mistake: Gaven Kraut was the star. The junior guard attacked the rack fearlessly, finished through contact, and made big shots when his team needed them most. Plays like the first-quarter bucket between two defenders will live on highlight reels for years. Nights like this are why kids grow up dreaming of playing under the lights in their home gym.
The supporting cast stepped up too. Terry Sanford’s bench brought energy, the big men cleaned the glass, and the guards locked up on the perimeter when it mattered. This was a total team victory.
What the Win Means Moving Forward
This victory does more than add a W to the column. It sends a message across the region: Terry Sanford is playing its best basketball at the right time. With the regular season winding down and conference tournaments looming, wins like this build confidence that travels.
For the seniors, Thursday night was another memory they’ll carry forever. For the underclassmen, it was proof that when you play hard and play together, special things happen on that court.
High school basketball is magic because of nights exactly like this one. Two proud programs, two passionate communities, one gym exploding with noise. Terry Sanford fans will talk about this win for weeks, and they should. The Bulldogs earned every second of it.
What did you think of the game? Who impressed you the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let us know if this Terry Sanford team has what it takes to make a deep playoff run.
