By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Following a three-game losing streak, Madisonville-North Hopkins standout Jon Hood torched the nets during the first quarter of the Maroons Thursday evening contest with Webster County.
Hood nailed each of his first five shots, but North's (7-10) solid team play proved to be the difference as Hood's fellow Maroons provided a balanced punch in a 66-50 victory in Maroon Gym.
North coach Marty Cline said the effort came as a result of the team's focus to improve following its 66-62 home loss to Hopkins County Central on Tuesday.
"We had the best practice we've had all year yesterday," Cline said. "Coming off a tough loss against Central, you either have a choice to go down the hill and tank it, get ready for golf or suck it up, get tougher, go out and battle and get better."
The Maroons utilized the opportunity to enhance their play against the visiting Trojans and raced to an early 22-6 advantage. Hood made five-of-eight shots in the first quarter for 11 points.
North's defense limited Webster to just nine points in each of the first two quarters. LaBrice Williams, the Trojans' leading scorer on the season, did not make a basket until 3:15 before halftime.
Ahead 11 points to begin the second half, the Maroons nearly doubled that lead in the third quarter opening minutes by sharing the ball and establishing a comfortable tempo.
Hood nailed each of his first five shots, but North's (7-10) solid team play proved to be the difference as Hood's fellow Maroons provided a balanced punch in a 66-50 victory in Maroon Gym.
North coach Marty Cline said the effort came as a result of the team's focus to improve following its 66-62 home loss to Hopkins County Central on Tuesday.
"We had the best practice we've had all year yesterday," Cline said. "Coming off a tough loss against Central, you either have a choice to go down the hill and tank it, get ready for golf or suck it up, get tougher, go out and battle and get better."
The Maroons utilized the opportunity to enhance their play against the visiting Trojans and raced to an early 22-6 advantage. Hood made five-of-eight shots in the first quarter for 11 points.
North's defense limited Webster to just nine points in each of the first two quarters. LaBrice Williams, the Trojans' leading scorer on the season, did not make a basket until 3:15 before halftime.
Ahead 11 points to begin the second half, the Maroons nearly doubled that lead in the third quarter opening minutes by sharing the ball and establishing a comfortable tempo.
During the run, guard Robert Hatchett tossed an alley-oop to Hood, who caught the pass above his head with two hands and glanced it off the glass for two points.
Shortly thereafter, Williams took control for Webster and brought his team right back into contention. The senior converted six straight field-goal attempts and tied North in points during the third quarter with 11.
Trojan shooting guard Logan Stull's three-pointer with 6:30 cut the deficit to 49-40.
"They knocked them down and they were able to make it a half-court game," Cline said of Webster's play during the comeback. "They're as good as a half-court team as there is in the Second Region. They run good stuff, they're well-coached and they had the tempo where they wanted it."
North increased the lead back to 16 shortly thereafter.
L.J. Gregory made a key steal after the Trojans had just swiped the ball away from North. Gregory picked the ball from the opposition and ran out for a fastbreak lay-up.
The Maroons knocked down six-of-eight free throws down the stretch to cement the win.
Hood finished the night with a game-high 28 points. Gregory joined him in double-digits with 11.
For Webster, Williams posted a team-high 19 points after a slow start.
WCHS (7-11) 9 9 15 17 - 50
MNHHS (7-10) 22 11 11 22 - 66
WCHS: LaBrice Williams 19, David Stubblefield 8, Logan Stull 7, James Winstead 7, Drew Dement 6, Taylor Turner 2, Jonathan Darnes 1
MNHHS: Jon Hood 28, L.J. Gregory 11, Robert Hatchett 8, J.C. Wade 6, Carl Hatchett 5, Joe Kington 4, Ryan Robinson 2, Darin Tomblingson 2
Shortly thereafter, Williams took control for Webster and brought his team right back into contention. The senior converted six straight field-goal attempts and tied North in points during the third quarter with 11.
Trojan shooting guard Logan Stull's three-pointer with 6:30 cut the deficit to 49-40.
"They knocked them down and they were able to make it a half-court game," Cline said of Webster's play during the comeback. "They're as good as a half-court team as there is in the Second Region. They run good stuff, they're well-coached and they had the tempo where they wanted it."
North increased the lead back to 16 shortly thereafter.
L.J. Gregory made a key steal after the Trojans had just swiped the ball away from North. Gregory picked the ball from the opposition and ran out for a fastbreak lay-up.
The Maroons knocked down six-of-eight free throws down the stretch to cement the win.
Hood finished the night with a game-high 28 points. Gregory joined him in double-digits with 11.
For Webster, Williams posted a team-high 19 points after a slow start.
WCHS (7-11) 9 9 15 17 - 50
MNHHS (7-10) 22 11 11 22 - 66
WCHS: LaBrice Williams 19, David Stubblefield 8, Logan Stull 7, James Winstead 7, Drew Dement 6, Taylor Turner 2, Jonathan Darnes 1
MNHHS: Jon Hood 28, L.J. Gregory 11, Robert Hatchett 8, J.C. Wade 6, Carl Hatchett 5, Joe Kington 4, Ryan Robinson 2, Darin Tomblingson 2
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