|
Smithson helps West avert SM’s upset bid
West Henderson averted Smoky Mountain’s upset bid with a 62-50 Western Athletic Conference basketball victory on Jan. 17 at West.
Sam Smithson dominated inside for the Falcons with 22 points. Tony Smith added 14, and Ford Tanner had 10.
Cory Siler led the Mustangs with 14 points, and Tyson Crawford netted 12.
Smoky Mountain’s Matt Hawkins puts up a shot in last week’s 62-50 loss at West Henderson. – Herald photo by Carey Phillips
“We’ve got to find a way when we get close to get over the hump,” Coach Scott Hartbarger said. “We cut it to two then they went on a 14-2 run. We have to get a defensive stop at that point.”
West scored the game’s first seven points, including five by Seth Staggs.
Five points by Matt Hawkins keyed a 9-2 spurt for a 12-11 SM edge on Siler’s basket at the 1:48 mark.
Baskets by Smithson and Smith gave the Falcons a 15-12 edge at the quarter break.
West built the lead to 25-18 with 3:39 on the clock and took a 25-21 advantage to the dressing room.
The Falcons opened the second half with 10 straight points, including eight by Smithson, to go up 35-21 with 4:59 left in the third stanza.
Siler’s four points keyed an 11-2 run cutting the gap to 37-32 when Crawford hit a foul shot at the 2:26 mark.
West was up 39-34 entering the fourth quarter.
A steal and layup by Crawford narrowed the deficit to 39-37 with 7:38 remaining.
The Falcons regained control with 12 straight points, including six by Smith, to lead 51-37 with 4:06 on the clock.
The game’s biggest margin was 56-41 after Zach Corliss made a foul shot at the 2:36 mark.
Siler’s points came on four field goals and six foul shots. Crawford hit four field goals, including a trey, and three free throws.
Hawkins finished with seven points, Dillon Dunford and Taylor scored six apiece, Martin Davis had four and Josh Jones made a foul shot.
The Mustang JVs won 45-34. They led at quarter breaks by scores of 21-9, 27-23 and 39-26.
SM’s John Brown scored 10 points.
“They’re playing with a great deal of confidence,” Coach Jim Hartbarger said. “Right now we have great team chemistry.”
|
