A fast start and strong finish was the right combination for the Athens Hornets Tuesday night in a 59-43 non-district win over the Wills Point Tigers at the Athens High School gym.
The Hornets, sparked by Jonathan Dora’s inside prowess, put up an 18-point first quarter en route to a 36-24 halftime advantage. Dora finished with 13 points, scoring nine in the paint in the first quarter.
AHS turned matters over to its defense in the second quarter.
“Our halfcourt man defense tightened down in the second quarter,” second-year coach Tracy Carter said. “It enabled us to build a 12-point advantage.”
Wills Point didn’t go away. The Tigers hit a pair of quick three-pointers to start the second half and thwart AHS momentum. The Tigers pulled with six, 36-30, but would get no closer.
Carter said he was pleased with the way the Hornets against stepped up their defensive intensity in the fourth quarter. AHS outscored the Tigers 14-6 in the period to seal the deal.
Freshman Kendall Sanders also played a big role in the Hornets’ win-securing fourth quarter with what Carter described as “head’s-up passing.”
Sanders paced the AHS scoring with 17 points.
Desmond Bowie finished with seven for AHS and Courtney Whitehead and Deliance Moore had six each.
The win improved the Hornets to 11-8 going into their final two non-district outings. AHS travels Friday to Mexia and is scheduled to be at home next Tuesday against Kaufman.
In sub-varsity action, the JV Hornets ran their record to 15-1 with a 49-25 win and the freshman dropped a 38-19 decision.
Zach Basher was the JV’s top scorer with 14 points. C.J. Tatum added 10 and Xaiver Harris nine.
Devin Johnson’s 13 points were tops for the frosh.
The JV and freshman squads will also be in action against Mexia and Kaufman.
Sports
Hornets start fast, finish strong
AHS knocks off Wills Point, 59-43
- Sports
-
-
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF: Next-level talent
Martin’s Mill senior Jackson Latimer has signed a national letter of intent to play golf at East Central University in Ada, Okla.
-
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Four score top spots
Four Athens Hornets have been named first team on the District 17-3A All-District Team.
-
5/27 Camps Calendar
Submissions for our Camps Calendar are published free of charge. If you have a camp you’d like to publicize, send information to sportseditor@athensreview.com.
-
Hail to the coach!
Former Athens head football coach Joe Crousen was inducted into the Big Country Hall of Fame in Abilene on May 7.
-
BRETT HOFFMAN: Broken ankle shelves top roper
Joe Beaver is on the sidelines.
-
JAYSON LARSON: Less than 100 days left, folks
I’d love to be writing this to you with a nice, round 100 days left until high school football workouts begin.
-
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Top coach headed to rival
This coaching move is sure to raise some eyebrows — in two towns.
-
Wallace hired as Cross Roads AD/HFC
The Cross Roads school board has approved the hiring of Brad Wallace as the district’s next athletic director and head football coach.
-
5/24 Camps Calendar
Submissions for our Camps Calendar are published free of charge. If you have a camp you’d like to publicize, send information to sportseditor@athensreview.com.
-
Up and over
Cross Roads junior Natalee Alexander claimed a bronze medal at the Class 1A State Track and Field Meet on May 11 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
