Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

Bennett, Sutton lead SM past Blue Ridge
Jermey Stewert

Blue Ridge's Jeremy Stewart goes to the basket for two of his 36 points in Monday's 96-64 loss to Smoky Mountain. - Herald photo by Carey Phillips

 Jason Bennett scored 25 points, including five dunks, and Allen Sutton had 21 points leading Smoky Mountain (9-10) to a 96-64 victory Monday at Blue Ridge.

Also in double figures were Luke Bell with 13 and Jared Day with 10.

Jeremy Stewart poured in 36 points for the Bobcats (1-24), and Karl Stewart had 16.

"I wasn't pleased with our first half and the intensity we came out with," Coach Scott Hartbarger said. "I was proud of our kids that we picked it up in the second half. Allen Sutton came off the bench and gave us some real good minutes, and Jason Bennett had a good game for us."

Five points by Roper and four by Bennett gave SM a 9-2 lead with 6:16 to go in the first quarter. The Mustangs were up 24-10 when Lance Gabbard scored at the 2:44 mark. Stewart scored the last five points of the period cutting the gap to 24-17.

Michael Ritchie's three-pointer opened the lead to 42-24 with 3:03 to play in the half, and SM led 45-32 at intermission.

Bennett's six points sparked a 12-2 spurt for a 59-36 advantage on Silas Webb's follow shot with 5:12 to play in the third stanza. Bennett's basket in the run included a dunk and a lob on a pass from Ritchie.

Bell scored the final four points of the quarter, which ended with the Mustangs leading 67-40.

SM closed the game with a 12-2 run as Sutton scored 10 of the points.

Bennett hit 12 field goals and a free throw. Sutton made seven field goals, including a three-pointer, and six foul shots. Bell's points came on four field goals and five free throws. Two of Day's four field goals were three-pointers.

Ritchie finished with eight points, Webb followed with six, Justin Roper netted five, Gabbard and Kyle Clayton both scored three, and Jonas Glaser had two.

Bennett had eight rebounds, and Bell pulled down seven. Ritchie recorded five steals and five assists. Day had four steals.

Jeremy Stewart hit 12 field goals, including a trio of three-pointers, and nine of 10 free throws. Karl Stewart made four field goals, including a trey, and seven foul shots.

Chris Rice and Jason Farmer both scored four points, Matthew Dillard had three and Micah Phillips made a free throw.

Back to Sports: 02/01/01.