Covington – Carroll County closed out a high energy game on a 9-3 run over the final 63 seconds to defeat Alleghany High School, 72-65 Monday night. The Cavaliers (15-0, 4-0 Three Rivers District) went a perfect 5 for 5 at the free throw line to pull away with Center Cody Reece starting the close out with an and one and Bryce Smoot scoring the final four points to ice the game.
” Cody really kept his composure tonight, especially after getting into early foul trouble,” Head Coach Anthony Barnes said. ” Once we put him back in there he didn’t miss a beat out there.”
Reece broke a 63-63 tie 👔 with his old fashion 3-point play. The senior finished the contest with 14 points and 9 rebounds, just missing another double double.
The Cougars (11-5) refused to go away quietly and the possessions between 59-59 and 63-63 belong on an instructional video on how to perform in crunch time but the home team finally ran out of ⛽gas.
Ethan Richardson finished the night with 12 points, including eight in the fourth quarter. His two free throws followed the Reece play and pushed Alleghany to a must foul mind set.
Bryce Smoot stood at the same end of the court he did as a Sophomore, trying to win a game with free throws. While his victoreas efforts back then were unique, tonight’s pair were pure nylon. The guard finished with a game high 26 points.
Both teams ended the game with four players in double figures and for 59 minutes it was as close as a ballgame can be.
Carroll County trailed 57 – 53 until Bryce Smoot scored an and one and followed it up with a perfect pass to Richardson in the corner to give the Cavaliers the lead at 59-57.
” In the huddle Coach Barnes drew up a play that would give us a lay-up or a good look at a 3-pointer,” said Assistant Coach Kris Richardson. “Bryce threw a perfect pass that hit Ethan in his shooting pocket.”
The third key 🔑 to the game was team free throw shooting as the Cougars left eight points at the charity stripe. CCHS finished up with 11 of 13.
” We beat a good team tonight that plays a very physical brand of basketball,” added Barnes. Every time we come up here we know exactly what to expect.”
Isaiah Easter finished with 16 points, with eight coming in the third quarter. Once again the Cavaliers won because of unselfish offense and tenacious defense
Carroll County JV Boys 👦 had their winning streak end in a 51-48 setback to the Cougars. Dane Leonard led the offense with 14 points and was joined in double figures by Colton Gravley with 10 points.
Both teams will continue with their busy week on Wednesday evening when they welcome Glenvar to The Hill.
A.S.P.N on The Hill 