By JON WEBB
Jeff Hall said East Carter, Glasgow’s Wednesday-afternoon opponent in the Ashland Invitational Tournament, is capable of winning 25 games. Thanks to the Scotties, they won’t win 26.
Glasgow beat East 84-57 to secure a fifth-place finish in the tournament. Hall credited an improved defensive performance for the victory.
“We played really well, and our intensity was great for this being our third game in three days,” he said. “And when you’re playing for fifth-place, sometimes it’s hard to motivate guys.”
Cameron Hall and Kerrington Bradley were plenty motivated Wednesday. Hall led the Scotties with 31 points while Bradley added 22.
“Kerrington was very active and he used his athleticism tonight,” coach Hall said. “He scored a couple of buckets by just outrunning his man down the floor. That’s what we need him to do, because most of the time he’ll have to give up size in his position.”
For Cameron Hall, the tournament served as a minor homecoming, as the senior guard returned to 16th Region territory, where he formerly played at Fairview High School. Hall made the most of his return, averaging 30 points-per-game in the Ashland tournament.
“It was a good homecoming for him, and I’m glad we were able to do it,” coach Hall said. “But that was obviously all secondary, because we wanted to play in a very competitive Christmas tournament.”
The game was especially competitive early. The Scotties outscored Carter 20-16 in the first, but only outscored their opponent by one in the second to build a slim five-point lead at halftime.
Glasgow increased its lead to 13 by the end of the third, and a 26-12 final frame secured the win.
Aside from Hall and Bradley, Dean Glass led the Scotties with 10, while Lajuan Smith added six and Michael Bradley four.
Coach Hall said Michael Bradley’s offensive output was smaller than normal due to his defensive matchup against 6’7 Colt Barnhill.
“(Barnhill) had 25, but we did a nice job on him,” coach Hall said. “To give up 25 and say you did a good job is a compliment to him as a player.”
Glasgow will next face Barren County on Saturday and coach Hall hopes to see the Scotties continue to improve defensively. In fact, his squad’s playing time may be determined by it.
“(The players) are going to be held accountable for their defense and rebounding,” he said. “We’re to the point now where we’ve got to settle in and find the people who are really serious about helping make us a better team before we make our stretch run in February.”
