By JON WEBB
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.
