Lions keep Hubs off the glass

February 09, 2008|By LARRY YANOS

WALKERSVILLE, Md. -- North Hagerstown was limited to one offensive rebound Friday night as the Hubs dropped a 79-58 decision to Walkersville in MVAL Piedmont boys basketball action.

The Hubs (5-13, 1-6) shot well in the first half and actually nursed a 29-20 lead at one point. But Walkersville turned up the defensive intensity late in the second period and shut down North in the final 16 minutes.

Walkersville (13-4, 4-1) finished with 17 offensive rebounds and added 21 more on the defensive end. North had just 12 defensive boards to go with the single offensive rebound.

"They're very tough, they have a lot of weapons," North Hagerstown coach Kevin Hartman said. "We were able to stay with them in the first half by being patient and hitting some outside shots, but we didn't play as well in the second half."

With North being limited to one shot -- the only offensive rebound came in the closing minutes of the game -- Walkersville was able to rebound and run the court at will and scored numerous fast-break layups.

"We rushed some shots in the second half and we didn't shoot as well as we did in the first half," Hartman said. "I can't fault the effort, we just got a little sloppy in the second half and didn't finish well."

It looked like an upset was in the works in the opening 16 minutes as North moved the ball well around the perimeter.

Taking advantage of a cold-shooting Walkersville team in the first quarter, the Hubs went on top 29-20 on Brent Bell's short jumper with 4:42 remaining in the first half, but then the Lions took command.

They gained a 35-32 halftime advantage and outscored North 44-25 in the second half.

"They jumped on us early, just like the first time we played them this season," Walkersville coach Bruce Zimmerman said. "I'm pleased with the overall effort, but we need to play four quarters, not three, to be effective."

Jabari Brown had 12 of his 16 points in the opening 16 minutes, while Chris Harris scored 11 of his 20 points before intermission for the Lions.

Bell and Bryan Calandine had the hot hands for North in the first half and finished with 19 and 15 points. Anthony Lee had 10 assists.

Zimmerman did laud the work of Harris.

"He had career highs of 20 points and 12 rebounds and really helped the cause," Zimmerman said. "I was also pleased with Scott Morris' nine assists. He set up a lot of baskets for us."

Jordan Dixon led Walkersville with 24 points.

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