Hornets Defeat Spartans by Ten
The Penney High Hornets played host to the Richmond Spartans on January 4th, seeing their first action since the win over Knob Noster at the NCMC Holiday Hoops Shootout on December 22nd.
The Spartans took an early 5-0 lead, but the Hornets out scored Richmond 13-2 the final minutes of the opening quarter to take a 13-7 lead into the second period.
Hamilton extended their lead to 31-19 by the half behind 8 second quarter points by Telly Harper.
Penney scored 19 points in the third quarter to the Spartans' 15 for a 16 point advantage heading into the final 8 minutes of play. The last 3 points in the third came from the free throw line when Korby Ford was fouled on a last second shot attempt from beyond the arc. Richmond was able to cut the deficit to five, 56-51, with 1:46 left in the game, but the Hornets scored the final 5 points of the contest to claim a 61-51 victory.
Latroy Harper led Hamilton with 17 points, followed by 15 for Jaran Richman, 14 for Telly Harper, 7 from Korby Ford, 4 for Wesley Pratt, and 2 each by Derek Dixon and Mason McFall. Richman recorded a double-double with 10 assists to go with 6 rebounds and 6 steals. Latroy hit a 3-pointer and recorded 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and a blocked shot. Telly grabbed 2 rebounds and blocked 1 shot. Ford hit all 5 of his free throw attempts and snared 3 rebounds. Pratt registered 1 rebound and handed out 1 assist. McFall hit the boards for a team leading 8 rebounds, assisted on 2 baskets, and stole the ball once. Andy Ernat assisted on 1 bucket and blocked 1 shot, Drake Brown set some good screens, and Reed Henderson was credited with 1 rebound.
The Hornets shot an excellent 10 of 11 from the charity stripe. Shooting a good percentage from the free throw line, limiting the turnovers (only 6 in this game), and delivering 14 assists on 25 made baskets is a recipe for success. Rick Ross's team improves to 4-2. The Spartans' leading scorers were Alex Hambrick with a game high 18, and Diaz Elliott's 15. Richmond hit 7 of 13 free throw attempts.
