Five Howard Hustlin’ Tigers racked up double digit stats in the points column Saturday at home. Their j91 points coming from all over the floor. The leading scorer on the night was big man Kerrick Thorne, who put up 21 points.
Thorne was able to create his own shot all game, but he was particularly effective in the first half where he put up 15 points. He used his ball handling skills and quick moves to get deep under the rim, then elevate over everyone else to shoot. He had two slam dunks on the night.
Along-side Thorn was Howard guard Meechie Bowens, who put up 19 points of his own at Henry W. Bowles Gymnasium. Bowens scored every which way Saturday, he hit three 3-pointers and made plenty of hard drives right at the basket.
Sweetwater did manage to put up 70 points, the Wildcats never got back within striking distance of the lead after going down by 22 points in the first quarter, but they did show some impressive offensive firepower of their own.
Wildcat ball-handler Austin Long repeatedly attacked the glass of the dribble, ending his night with 20 points. He was followed close behind by Jayce Upton, who had 18. Upton displayed some smooth moves around the basket to open space for his shot.
One of Howards greatest strengths is their depth off the bench. Point guard Cobi Dixon was Coach Talley’s first substitute of the game. The talented sixth man hit two 3-pointers and finished the game with 12 points. He was later joined off the bench by Jadon Jenkins and Deveon Dupree, who both contributed 11 points to their teams’ efforts.
The Tigers maintained their steady scoring pace for the rest of the first half and went into the locker room with a 52-32 lead.
Howard pressed after a made basket all game with their pressure causing plenty of turn-overs. Sweetwater slowed down their pace and started to beat it more frequently in the second half. The defensive intensity also picked up dramatically, with both teams entering the double bonus with over four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Sweetwater also pressed all game and managed to trap Tiger ball handlers in the corners of their zone defense on numerous occasions. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Howard also hit the 3-pointers left open by their zone on numerous occasions. Howard hit eight 3-pointers as a team.
Kade Correll hit two of Sweetwater’s three 3-pointers on the night.
Sweetwater worked hard but they were never able to make the second half interesting, the Tigers were simply too good on their home floor. Howard wins 91-70 and moves on in the Region 3-3A Tournament.
Howard travels to Loudon Tuesday night for a Region 3-2A semifinal matchup. The game tips at 7:00 p.m. local.
SUMMARY
HOWARD 32 20 20 19 - 91
SWEETWATER 10 22 16 22 - 70
HOWARD (91) – Kerrick Thorne 21, Meechie Bowens 19, Cobi Dixon 12, Jadon Jenkins 11, Deveon Dupree 11, Hall 5, Fisher 4, Greer 4, Holland 3.
SWEETWATER (70) – Austin Long 20, Jayce Upton 18, Correll 9, Gibby 7, Leeper 7, Alford 4, Barker 3, Kile 2.
3-POINT GOALS: Howard 8 (Bowens 3, Dixon 2, Fisher, Greer, Holland); Sweetwater 3 (Correll 2, Long) .
(Email William Shelton at wil.shet21@gmail.com)