West Lincoln lights up St. Al
Published 6:00 am Tuesday, December 22, 2009
West Lincoln produced its version of Friday Night Lights in JackCase Gymnasium. The Bears and Lady Bears lit up the scoreboard withtheir sharpshooters and dismantled the visitors from Vicksburg St.Aloysius in a basketball tripleheader.
West Lincoln’s Lady Bears recorded a 58-29 Friday night triumph,led by Karli Herrington and Tati Marshall who scored 15 and 13points respectively in their first Division 7-1A test of theseason.
In the varsity boys game, West Lincoln blew out the Flashes70-45 as junior guard Jay Case pumped in a game-high 24 points. Healso had six assists and six rebounds.
The Bears won the preliminary junior varsity boys game 54-7.
West Lincoln, coached by Lane Young, resumes play Jan. 5, 2010,at Franklin County in Meadville.
The Lady Bears (9-5, 1-0) were never challengedby the Lady Flashes. A trey by Marshall gave her team an 18-2 leadwith 2:17 left in the first quarter. WL’s full-court pressurecaused a rash of St. Al turnovers that were cashed in for easybaskets.
Herrington had 13 of her points by halftime as her team roaredto a 37-14 lead. She also had 7 rebounds in the game.
Senior forward Hannah Knouse was queen of the backboards,pulling down 10 rebounds against the taller St. Al squad. KeriEasley added 12 points, 7 assists and 5 steals to the victory.Katie Mullins grabbed 7 rebounds.
St. Al (2-8, 1-1) got 10 points from Tori Hines. Her teamtrailed 49-23 starting the fourth quarter, allowing Coach Young toclear his bench.
The Bears (10-4, 1-0) authored an impressivefirst half against the Flashes. They boasted a 49-16 halftime lead,paced by Jay Case’s 19 points that included 5 treys, many from NBAdistance. Younger brother Jared Case had 14 points at halftime.
In the second quarter, when Jay Case sacked a trey from thecorner, the Bears led by 20 points, 32-12. Brandon Robinson added10 assists to the win.
“Our boys played well about the last 12 minutes of the firsthalf; the best we’ve played this season,” said Young. “We got somefire in our bellies when they (Flashes) went to mouthing off.”
According to Young, WL’s improved perimeter shooting provides avariety of offensive options for his team. “When Jay and Jaredshoot the ball well, it opens up other things for us.”
St. Al first-year head coach Richard Hodges said he wasimpressed by the Cases. “We beat ourselves the first half. When 10(Jay Case) was hitting, it kind of blew our kids’ minds. Then hisbrother started scoring, too.”
In 2005, Hodges coached Madison St. Joe to the Class 2A statetournament. He has been coaching in North Carolina.
Hodges said he was unhappy with the officiating. “We didn’t getany calls but you have to adjust to it. When West Lincoln comes toour place, the officiating will be different.”
Game official Chris Collins sent St. Al guard John Austin Jonesto the bench with 59 seconds left in the game for criticizing acall. No technical foul was charged.
Peter Halinski led the Flashes (3-8, 1-1) with 12 points and 10rebounds. Johnson had 5 rebounds.
Junior Varsity Results
Eight points each by Logan King, Lucas Burris and Dean Moore ledthe Bears in scoring. LeKeith Ward and Darius Clark scored 7apiece. Trey Allred netted 6.