By Benny Rogers Sports Editor
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.
