Jared Day puts up a shot against an Andrews defender in the first round of last week's Mustang Christmas Tournament. - Herald photo by Carey Phillips
|
Playing for the first time in almost two weeks, Smoky Mountain rolled to a 75-47 victory over Andrews in the opening round of the Mustang Christmas Tournament last Thursday at the SM gym. Ollin Dunford scored 19 points for the Mustangs (5-1), who matched their win total from all of last season and continued their best start in 10 years. Jeff Davis added 16 points, and Sam Hammer had 10. The Wildcats were led by Kurtis Wilson with 14 points and Jasper Phillips with 12. "I was concerned about the break we had," Coach Scott Hartbarger said of the layoff. "It took us a little while to get going, but we finally picked it up and played like we are capable of. I was pleased with our defense as it created a lot of turnovers." Davis scored 11 in the first period, and his three-pointer gave SM the lead for good, 11-9, with 2:42 on the clock. That started a 14-2 run, which also included treys by Dunford and Eric Neff, and resulted on a 22-11 lead at the quarter break. The Mustangs closed the half on a 9-2 run, including six by Dunford, for a 36-20 advantage. The margin was 42-22 on Jared Day's driving layup with 5:52 to go in the third stanza. Wilson had six points in a 9-1 spurt as the Wildcats closed within 43-31 at the 4:42 mark. The Mustangs regained control and finished the quarter on a 13-3 run. Davis, Michael Ayers and Paul Van Der Ven all had three-pointers in the spurt that gave SM a 56-34 advantage entering the fourth period. The game's biggest lead was 62-37 on Joseph Stapleton's follow shot with 4:19 to play. "Jared got us in our offense and did what a point guard needs to do," Hartbarger said. "Ollin had a great game with a quiet 19 points. Snapper (Davis) carried us in the first quarter." Dunford made six field goals, including two three-pointers, and five of six free throws. Four of the six field goals by Davis were treys. Hammer hit two field goals and six foul shots. Eric Neff added eight points, William Bond followed with seven, Day netted four, Ayers and Van Der Ven both scored three, Stapleton and Patrick McChesney had two apiece and Nathan Medlin hit a free throw. |