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Rabun County claims victory over Smoky Mountain, 85-82
Kris Connor scored 27 points and Cody Coleman had 20 Friday leading homestanding Rabun County (Ga.) to an 85-82 non-conference basketball victory over Smoky Mountain.
Allen Woerner added 11 points for the Wildcats, and Mack English had 10.
Tyson Crawford had an outstanding performance in a losing cause as he scored 30 points. Cory Siler added 19 for the Mustangs (4-6).
“We had way too many turnovers,” Coach Scott Hartbarger said. “We let their fullcourt pressure bother us and didn’t get into any type of offense. Again, we didn’t transition back on defense.”
Hartbarger singled out Crawford and Siler for their play.
After trailing most of the game, SM found itself ahead 75-72 after consecutive baskets by Siler and Crawford with 3:13 to play.
The Mustangs were up 77-76 on Jordan Panther’s driving layup at the 1:43 mark.
English’s three-pointer put Rabun ahead to stay, 79-77, with 1:37 on the clock.
SM trailed 81-79 on Siler’s fast break layup with 40 seconds left.
Coleman hit two free throws with 24.8 seconds to go, and Connor did likewise with 17.9 seconds remaining.
A steal and layup by Matt Hawkins capped a 12-2 run giving the Mustangs their first lead of the second half, 60-59, with 2:04 to play in the third stanza.
Sam Marsengill made three of four free throws down the stretch as the Wildcats held a 62-60 edge entering the fourth period.
Dillon Dunford’s fast break layup ended a 12-2 spurt giving SM a 14-9 lead with 3:33 left in the first quarter, which ended with the Mustangs on top 16-15.
Connor’s nine points fueled a 12-2 run resulting in a 31-20 advantage with 3:59 to go in the half.
Crawford and Dayne Bowers both had four points in a 10-1 spurt narrowing the deficit to 32-20 at the 2:26 mark.
Tyler Fait had five points in a 10-2 run as Rabun regain control for a 42-32 lead with 7.8 seconds on the clock.
The margin was 42-34 at intermission.
Crawford’s points came on 13 field goals and four free throws. Siler made seven field goals and five of five foul shots.
Hawkins finished with eight points, Bowers followed with six, Dunford and Josh Jones both netted five, Jordan Panther contributed four, Taylor Gilleland scored three and C.J. Fortner had two.
The Mustang JVs improved to 3-6 with a 66-39 win. Logan Buchanan scored 14 points, and Cort Smith had 12.
“We got better,” Coach Jim Hartbarger said. “They played hard. A lot of kids played and played well. We played with enthusiasm, and that’s all you can ask of a young bunch.”
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