Buchanan – Carroll County moved to 11-1 on the season by getting back to what they do best, playing team defense and sharing the scoring load as eight Cavaliers dented the score book in the 65-35 Three Rivers District victory Monday night at James River.
Jabin Talley scored seven of the first ten points for Head Coach Anthony Barnes as the team made sure that there would be no back to back losses after starting out the season 10-0.
James River managed to do just enough to remain in the contest throughout the first half and pulled within 10 points (32-22) with a basket just before the halftime break.
Bryce Smoot and Davis Reitzel combined for 19 of the teams 22 points scored in the third quarter, leaving no doubt as to the outcome.
” I felt like in first half we were sloppy with the ball, passing was not crisp and decision making was off”, Barnes said. ” Defensively we didn’t have any energy and was not rotated or helping and communicating like we normally do”.
The team made the necessary adjustments at halftime, especially on the defensive end, limiting the Knights to just 13 second half points. Bryce Smoot finished with a game high 18 points with Reitzel adding 17 to the total. Isaiah Easter finished with eight points and Barnes received contributions from his bench as Cody Reece (5 points), Paul Marshall (4 points) and Brayden Smoot (4 points) each stepped up for the Cavaliers.
” Coach (Kris) Richardson and I have really challenged their effort and how they were playing defensively and how we were so quick to settle and not attack the basket or make next pass”, Barnes added. “Then we came out at half and looked like the Cavs we know, pressed them into mistake so and turnover which lead to us in transition which is our game. Tally had a really good night both defensively and shooting and Bryce knocked down some 3’s putting in 18, and Davis had 17, with alot of good kick passes out for scores, as a team we shut them down in the third. 2 shots from floor for them and 2 free-throws.”
Carroll County continues to play the part of Road Warriors Wednesday night when they return to Floyd County High School. This time around it will be the Buffaloes standing in the way of the Cavs Express. Barnes knows what his team is capable of doing when they are locked in.
” I am proud of them responding as a Team and placing themselves at 11-1 going into a huge District game Wed vs Floyd at Floyd”, noted Barnes. ” This will be fun to be apart of for sure.”
Colton Gravely (12 points) and Trace Reavis (10 points) led the attack for the Junior Varsity team as the Cavaliers defeated the Knights 45-20.
Hayden Jackson (9 points) and Blake Reed (8 points) both flirted with double figures as well in a well balanced effort.
A.S.P.N on The Hill 