MADISON COUNTY — While there were a few unsteady moments, they didn’t last long as the Pendleton Heights boys basketball team made sure its engagement in the Madison County Tournament continued.
The Arabians left the home court on Monday with a rousing win against Anderson Prep Academy, 92-40.
They were set to take on Lapel, a 67-63 winner versus Frankton on Monday, during a Wednesday second-round match-up in Alexandria (after press time). The winner of the Pendleton Heights-Lapel game will advance to Friday’s championship game.
“I felt like in the second half when we stayed solid and played the way we really wanted to play, we did some really good things,” Pendleton Heights coach Kevin Bates said of Monday’s first- round win.
Five Arabians scored in double figures, including senior Tristan Ross, who had 24 points. Davrick Black pumped in 17 points, but the quick-handed junior had eight steals, with four coming in the first quarter.
Black, who also had eight assists, fed Ross under the basket time and again, and Pendleton Heights went on a scoring binge to open the game that ended with a 23-6 first-quarter score.
Not backing down or giving up, the Jets regrouped in the second quarter — matching the Arabians point for point in the second quarter on the scoring of Jack Scott, who led APA with 19 points — but not enough to chip away at Pendleton Heights’ advantage, which grew to 20 by halftime.
“I got to give APA credit,” Bates said. “They came out and battled, and their defense gave us problems at times.”
Bates said they had to find focus when the collective opinion is the Arabians would win.
“We talked all week, ‘don’t overlook APA.’”
The second-quarter scare may have been a good thing for his team Bates said.
“Especially in a tournament. I think it was good to feel some of that pressure in this game. They’ll be a lot of it come Wednesday.”
The Arabians took advantage of 29 APA turnovers resulting in almost half of their points scored.
Sophomore Jamison Dunham had 16 points, junior Gavin Greer had 15 and junior Luke Weaver had 10 points. Nine Arabians saw floor time and eight put points on the board.
With a couple kids sick and one injured, the Arabians only dressed nine players their depth for the night was lessened.
“I thought Gavin Greer was spectacular tonight,” Bates said. “Luke Weaver came off the bench scored double figures. I was really proud of those guys. They work hard each and every day.”
Lapel had a much tougher opening-round task. The Bulldogs, up against their biggest rivals, had to rally from a first-quarter deficit.
Frankton led 14-9 after the first quarter. The Bulldogs came back to tie the game at the half, 26-26.
Lapel outscored Frankton 19-12 in the third period.
It was the Bulldogs second win against the Eagles. At Frankton on Nov. 30, Lapel won another tight one, 59-57.
On Monday, Carson Huber led the way with 25 points. Kolby Bullard had 20. Huber had 21 in the earlier meeting between the two.
After the two double-figure scorers, six other Bulldogs got in the scoring column. Caden Eicks scored 7 points. Blake Mills added 5 and Corbin Renihan contributed 4. To round out the scoring, Gage White tallied 3, while Noah Frazier and Bryce Carpenter had 2 and 1 respectively.
The Bulldogs were looking to go 2-0 against the Arabians, too. On Dec. 6, Lapel outscored Pendleton Heights 23-12 in the fourth quarter to beat the Arabians 49-46 in Pendleton.
Lapel’s Frazier hit a 3-pointer with less than two seconds remaining to win the game for the Bulldogs.
Shortly after Monday’s game, Bates was ready to begin prepping for the match up with Lapel.
“Hopefully, it’s a different outcome the second go-’round,” Bates said. “I have a lot of respect for them. Our players have a ton of respect for them. We’ll get a game play ready (Monday night) and put it together (Tuesday) and be ready on Wednesday.”
He said the team still has work to do to get better not only for the battle with Lapel but also for the rest of the season.