By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- Friday night provided the boys basketball teams from Hopkins County Central and Dawson Springs with a chance to learn a little more about each other's strengths in a preview of their district matchup on Feb. 23.
The Panthers (6-14) kept the game close in the first quarter, but the Storm (18-6) utilized defensive pressure and a balanced offensive effort in the second to separate from Dawson in an eventual 87-42 win.
Dawson entered the game without starter Ethan Scott, who did not play due to an ankle injury he suffered in the second half of the Panthers' 71-56 loss to Crittenden County on Thursday night.
"We were really trying to make a statement since we drew them in the district," Central coach Matt Bell said. "It'll be a different ballgame come (Feb. 23) when we play them in the district. Scott will be back by then and he makes a big difference."
After the first eight minutes of action, Dawson trailed by four points, but Central turned up the intensity in the second quarter.
The Storm defense helped propel Central to a 17-0 run to begin the second by creating turnovers, which led to easy baskets.
"I don't like zone traps, but I felt like that's what we had to do to get some momentum going in the first half," Bell said.
The Panthers (6-14) kept the game close in the first quarter, but the Storm (18-6) utilized defensive pressure and a balanced offensive effort in the second to separate from Dawson in an eventual 87-42 win.
Dawson entered the game without starter Ethan Scott, who did not play due to an ankle injury he suffered in the second half of the Panthers' 71-56 loss to Crittenden County on Thursday night.
"We were really trying to make a statement since we drew them in the district," Central coach Matt Bell said. "It'll be a different ballgame come (Feb. 23) when we play them in the district. Scott will be back by then and he makes a big difference."
After the first eight minutes of action, Dawson trailed by four points, but Central turned up the intensity in the second quarter.
The Storm defense helped propel Central to a 17-0 run to begin the second by creating turnovers, which led to easy baskets.
"I don't like zone traps, but I felt like that's what we had to do to get some momentum going in the first half," Bell said.
Connor Moore came off the bench and provided a sizeable contribution to the run. During a three-minute stretch, Moore scored six points and recorded two steals and a block.
"His number was called and he's always ready," Bell said. "Connor is intelligent and can give us a lot of vital minutes down the road too."
Moore said it felt great to be such an integral part of his team's success.
"I really didn't expect to play in the first half, but I got in," he said. "I just got in the game and it felt great to contribute.
"Even though you're on the bench, you still have to stay focused and be ready to play any time."
Aaron Duke ended Central's scoring streak when he nailed a jumper with 4:02 to go before halftime. By that time, Dawson trailed 36-17. Junior Jacob Patton scored the Panthers' other lone field goal of the quarter with 31 seconds left in the second.
The Storm entered intermission with a 44-22 advantage.
Finding an offensive answer did not prove any easier for Dawson in the opening minutes of the third quarter when Central manufactured an 11-0 run to begin the second half. The Panthers also committed three turnovers in the first 55 seconds of play.
Ahead 64-31 with 2:45 left in the third, Bell inserted his reserves for some quality minutes and they did not disappoint by maintaining the same healthy lead.
Bell said he was glad to get his bench players some action and recognition for their contributions to the team.
"Those kids are our future and any time they can get some valuable minutes like that and really have chance to play a bit at that level, it's going to give them confidence this year or down the road in years to come," he said.
Central's bench finished the contest with 36 points.
Chuck Jones, the Storm's leading scorer on the night with 24, said the team's reserves couldn't have picked a better time of the season to succeed.
"We were real excited about our bench coming up strong," he said. "They're going to have to come up strong. We haven't been that deep all year and for them to step up at the end of the year, that's what we need."
Notes: During today's boy-girl doubleheader between Central and Madisonville-North Hopkins, coaches from both schools will sport tennis shoes while collections will be made for Coaches vs. Cancer.
The program has been long associated with the college ranks, but this will mark the first time with Central's participation.
The event was originally scheduled to take place against Union County during the last weekend of January, but inclement weather postponed the game.
"We thought it would be a good idea, should have a good crowd," Bell said of the rescheduled date with the Maroons. "We can raise a little money to help find a cure for cancer."
Student ambassadors will take collections during both games.
"Hopefully everybody can find an extra dollar or two in their pockets and give to a good cause," Bell said.
n Before Friday evening's game, former Storm basketball player J.T. Riddle presented guard Corey Coble with a special game ball honoring Coble's achievement for breaking Central's all-time assist record (405).
Coble broke the record during the Storm's 74-46 victory against Ft. Campbell on Monday and entered Friday with 417.
Riddle previously held the milestone with 404.
DSHS (6-14) 15 7 13 7 - 42
HCCHS (18-6) 19 25 29 14 - 87
DSHS: Aaron Duke 16, Wes Mitchell 11, Braxton Burden 7, Jacob Patton 6, Brett Cobb 2, Dayton Reed 1
HCCHS: Chuck Jones 24, Je'Vonte Hughes 11, Connor Moore 11, Nikee Caldwell 10, Josh Riley 7, Dan Croft 6, Jake Hopper 6, Cameron Tabor 6, Justin VanVactor 4, Jessie Almon 2
"His number was called and he's always ready," Bell said. "Connor is intelligent and can give us a lot of vital minutes down the road too."
Moore said it felt great to be such an integral part of his team's success.
"I really didn't expect to play in the first half, but I got in," he said. "I just got in the game and it felt great to contribute.
"Even though you're on the bench, you still have to stay focused and be ready to play any time."
Aaron Duke ended Central's scoring streak when he nailed a jumper with 4:02 to go before halftime. By that time, Dawson trailed 36-17. Junior Jacob Patton scored the Panthers' other lone field goal of the quarter with 31 seconds left in the second.
The Storm entered intermission with a 44-22 advantage.
Finding an offensive answer did not prove any easier for Dawson in the opening minutes of the third quarter when Central manufactured an 11-0 run to begin the second half. The Panthers also committed three turnovers in the first 55 seconds of play.
Ahead 64-31 with 2:45 left in the third, Bell inserted his reserves for some quality minutes and they did not disappoint by maintaining the same healthy lead.
Bell said he was glad to get his bench players some action and recognition for their contributions to the team.
"Those kids are our future and any time they can get some valuable minutes like that and really have chance to play a bit at that level, it's going to give them confidence this year or down the road in years to come," he said.
Central's bench finished the contest with 36 points.
Chuck Jones, the Storm's leading scorer on the night with 24, said the team's reserves couldn't have picked a better time of the season to succeed.
"We were real excited about our bench coming up strong," he said. "They're going to have to come up strong. We haven't been that deep all year and for them to step up at the end of the year, that's what we need."
Notes: During today's boy-girl doubleheader between Central and Madisonville-North Hopkins, coaches from both schools will sport tennis shoes while collections will be made for Coaches vs. Cancer.
The program has been long associated with the college ranks, but this will mark the first time with Central's participation.
The event was originally scheduled to take place against Union County during the last weekend of January, but inclement weather postponed the game.
"We thought it would be a good idea, should have a good crowd," Bell said of the rescheduled date with the Maroons. "We can raise a little money to help find a cure for cancer."
Student ambassadors will take collections during both games.
"Hopefully everybody can find an extra dollar or two in their pockets and give to a good cause," Bell said.
n Before Friday evening's game, former Storm basketball player J.T. Riddle presented guard Corey Coble with a special game ball honoring Coble's achievement for breaking Central's all-time assist record (405).
Coble broke the record during the Storm's 74-46 victory against Ft. Campbell on Monday and entered Friday with 417.
Riddle previously held the milestone with 404.
DSHS (6-14) 15 7 13 7 - 42
HCCHS (18-6) 19 25 29 14 - 87
DSHS: Aaron Duke 16, Wes Mitchell 11, Braxton Burden 7, Jacob Patton 6, Brett Cobb 2, Dayton Reed 1
HCCHS: Chuck Jones 24, Je'Vonte Hughes 11, Connor Moore 11, Nikee Caldwell 10, Josh Riley 7, Dan Croft 6, Jake Hopper 6, Cameron Tabor 6, Justin VanVactor 4, Jessie Almon 2
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