By Staff
Mike Self, FCT Sports Editor
Morgan McCarley had 16 points to lead four players in double figures on Tuesday as Vina defeated Mt. Hope 70-54 in varsity boys basketball action.
Blake Thorn and Anthony Hester each added 12 points for the Red Devils, who got off to a strong start and led 16-6 after one quarter.
Mt. Hope trimmed the lead to six by halftime, but Vina out-scored the Yellow Jackets 18-12 in the third quarter to push the margin back into double figures.
McCarley made four three-pointers and fellow freshman Brent Townsend had 11 points for the Red Devils, who won despite the fact that senior post players Hester, Tony Jennings and Patrick Cochran all got in early foul trouble.
"When our older guys had to sit, we had some younger kids step up and play really well," Vina coach Sonny Tibbs said. "Morgan and Brent did a good job, and we also got some good minutes from Cass [White] and Kevin Townsend."
The Red Devils, who finished 16-of-28 at the foul line, put up their highest point total of the season.
"We played pretty well offensively, for the most part," Tibbs said. "Seventy points is our highest total by far. Still, we have some things we need to work on. Mt. Hope pressured us a lot up front and we didn't handle it too well. We had been cutting down on our turnovers, but tonight they were back up again. We have to do a better job taking care of the ball."
The Red Devils are off until next Thursday, when they will face Brilliant at 5:30 p.m. in the first round of the Vina Christmas Tournament.
In other recent action:
Varsity girls
Mt. Hope 60 Vina 47
Kayla Bridges had 17 points to lead the Lady Red Devils in Tuesday's loss.
LeShe McGee added 14 points and Heather Holland had 11 for Vina, which trailed by two at the half before being out-scored 19-12 in the third quarter.
Vina's girls will face Brilliant next Thursday at 4 p.m. in the first round of the Vina Christmas Tournament.