Phil Campbell Coach Shane Clay said his team had bought into what he was trying to instill in the Bobcat boys basketball program during the offseason. He wanted to push the ball up the floor, take a lot of shots and play pressure defense. It all paid off in the Bobcats’ opening game of the season, where Phil Campbell scored early and often, beating Marion County 101-44.

The Bobcats scored in excess of 25 points in each of the first three quarters before taking the foot off the pedal in the fourth quarter.

The whistle blew quite often, with both teams combining for 66 free throws in the game. Phil Campbell went 25-for-35 from the line, and the Red Raiders were 14-for-31 from the line. Phil Campbell hit 10 three-pointers on the night as well.

Luke Garrison led all scorers with 24 points, hitting four three-pointers and going six-for-seven from the line.

Three other Bobcats were also in double-figures. Mason Swinney had 14 points, Blain Goodson had 13 points, and Brett Saint had 11 points. Saint went eight-for-10 from the free-throw line in the first half alone.

Rounding out the scoring for Phil Campbell were Cam Habada with nine points, Kyle Pace with seven points, Quentin Hyde with six points, Dylan Jeane with five points, Bryant Hyde with five points, Canaan Clay with four points and Jonah Fisher with three points.