A “lackadaisical” first half gave way to a highly productive second half Monday night as Barren County beat Hancock County 65-50 in the first round of the Hancock Holiday Classic.
The Trojans managed just 18 points in the first 16 minutes, but were able to turn Hancock turnovers into 47 points in the final two frames.
“We played with more energy, and with more purpose (in the second),” head coach Warren Cunningham said. “We got a lot of easy buckets in transition and were able to get to the free throw line.”
The halfcourt trap had a lot to do with the Trojans’ transformation.
Cunningham said his team’s anemic first-half performance didn’t allow much use of the trap in the first half, but improved shooting in the second allowed Barren to apply more defensive pressure.
“In the first half we didn’t score enough to get into it,” he said. “At times, it was kind of an ugly game.”
It was ugly for both teams early on.
Barren jumped out to a 9-7 lead after one quarter, but saw Hancock double its offensive output in the second to take a 21-18 advantage heading into the half.
It was then the offense exploded.
Barren more than doubled its point total in the third to take a 43-32 lead going into the fourth quarter. Although Hancock was able to keep things close in the final frame, the third quarter proved too much as Barren went on to the victory.
Ben Hubbard led the Trojans with 17 points, while Luke Deckard added 11 and reserve point guard William Dalton scored 8.
Cunningham said he was impressed with Dalton’s overall play on Monday, as the guard contributed five assists and four rebounds to his point total.
“(Dalton) is kind of one of those guys who was not getting minutes early in the year, but earned himself minutes,” he said. “He’s a pesky defender and did a nice job creating some things for other guys.
“He’s a little guy, but he’ll get in there and mix it up with the tall timbers.”
Barren will face both Louisville Atheron and Bourbon County over the next two days of the Classic: teams with only three combined wins.
Despite its record, Cunningham said the Trojans will have do their best against a fast, skillful Atherton squad.
“They have a lot of quickness and athleticism and can score a lot of points at times,” he said. “They really like getting up and down the floor. We’ve got to do a job good job defending them.”
The win improves Barren’s record to 5-4.
Sports
Second-half surge lifts Trojans over Hancock
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Scotties top Trojans, earn No. 1 seed in tournament
Hunter Bowles scored 23 points Saturday night to lead the Glasgow Scotties to a 66-54 victory over Barren County in boys' District 15 basketball action. The victory give the Scotties the No. 1 seed for the district tournament beginning Monday, Feb. 20, at Allen County Scottsville High School.
For a complete recap of the game, check out Monday's issue of the Glasgow Daily Times. -
Scotties do their job, take down Caverna
HORSE CAVE – It would have been very easy for the Glasgow Scotties to have had their minds on something else Friday night when they traveled to play at Caverna. After all, Glasgow is having a pretty good season and the Scotties are preparing for a big battle with District 15 rival Barren County on Saturday night. And the game has added importance as the winner gets the No. 1 seed in the district tournament.
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Barren boys, girls win
Barren County had a solid win over the Cumberland County Panthers Friday night, 70-43. -
Glasgow girls roll over Caverna
HORSE CAVE – After fending off a furious Caverna rally in the final minutes of the second quarter Friday night, the Glasgow Lady Scotties bumped up the defense in the second half and held the Lady Colonels to only three points in the third period and cruised away with a 59-41 victory.
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One last chance
As Lora Garrett prepares the Glasgow High School swim team for this weekend’s Kentucky High School Athletic Association Region 1 Swimming and Diving Championships in Owensboro, she sees a lot of positives for her team. Meghan Taylor is swimming well in the freestyle and Grayson Reynolds is swimming well, as are a couple of the Lady Scottie relay teams.
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Focused
Steve Metzger, the head swim coach at Barren County High School, is pretty excited about where his team is right now as the Trojans and the Trojanettes prepare for the regional championships this weekend.
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Underdog role
Luke Pniewski, the head wrestling coach at Barren County High School, knows his team will be the underdog this weekend at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Region 2 Wrestling Championships in Danville.
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Swindle signs to play golf at Lindsey Wilson
Only three years after she picked up a golf club for the first time, Glasgow High School senior Courtney Swindle signed her letter of intent to play golf for Lindsey Wilson College.
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