By: Adam Freeman
The Tucker County boys’ basketball team had two bouts this past week with two familiar foes. Tucker first took on the Southern (MD) Garrett Rams at home on Monday in a game where they never trailed, but also never fully pulled away. Tucker held a 9-point lead at the end of the first quarter and led 32–23 at the half. The Mt. Lions slowly and methodically stretched the lead through the second half, leading 52–39 at the end of the third before finishing the game with a decisive 65–49 defeat of the Rams.
Mitchell 16 Pts, 2 Reb, 5 Ast; Arnold 13 Pts, 2 Reb, FT 2-3; Dearborn 12 Pts, 3 Reb, FT 1-1; Marks 9 Pts, 4 Reb, FT 1-2; Cummings 9 Pts, 5 Reb; Simmons 2 Pts, 2 Reb; Barb 2 pts 1 Reb; Lambert 2 Pts, 1 Reb.
3-Point Field Goals (7-21)
Mitchell (4) Cummings (1) Dearborn (1) Arnold (1)
Later in the week, Tucker traveled to take on AA Moorefield. The Mt. Lions got off to a slow start offensively, holding a slim 5–4 advantage over the Yellow Jackets to end the first quarter. However, they exploded in the second period to the tune of a 19–9 scoring effort, resulting in a 24–13 lead at halftime. Tucker continued to pull away in the second half, holding a 41–23 lead to end the third and finally putting the Yellow Jackets to bed with a 61–33 victory.
Arnold 17 Pts, 5 Reb, 3 Ast; Cummings 12 Pts, 3 Reb, FT 5-7; Marks 11 Pts, 4 Reb; Dearborn 8 Pts, Ricottilli 2 Pts; Simmons 2Pts; Black 2 Pts; Davis 2 Pts.
3-Point Field Goals (6-16)
Dearborn (2) Mitchell (1) Cummings (1) Marks (1) Arnold (1)
With this pair of wins, Tucker has improved to 5–4 as they approach the midway point of the season. The Mt. Lions play again on Tuesday, January 13th, at Pendleton County for a 6:00 p.m. tipoff.
