Polk, Landrum split hoops games Friday
Published 2:16 pm Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Polk County and Landrum split games Friday in their first match-up on the basketball court this season. The Cardinal varsity men stormed through the Polk squad without many problems for a 70-45 win, while the Polk County girls prevailed in their game by a score of 42-30.Polk County womens varsity coach, Mitch Davis, relied on his strategy of subbing starters, and the game remained tight until the third quarter. Polks Brittany Phipps three-pointer from the top of the arc lit a fourth quarter run of seven straight points, and that spark ignited the defense, which shut down the Lady Cards the rest of the way. Davis said he felt that the Lady Wolverines played within their offense.We just worked within the system, said Davis. Were starting to mature and were taking the most pride in rebounding. We got a lot of chances tonight. Everyone has a starter mentality.Sophomore Alyssa Montgomery led the offense well, and center Melinda Morgan was a factor down low. Montgomery hit on 6-of-6 free throws, the first two of which followed Morgans first basket of the night.Cassidy Mazzilli had a superb all-around game for the Lady Wolverines, scoring 11 points, pulling down eight boards, and swiping five steals. Try as they might, the Polk County men were not as fortunate. Landrums DeShaun Hall and Corey McDowell dominated the game from start to finish. They finished with 23 and 22 points, respectively, to lead the Cardinals.DeShaun is a three-year starter, and if hes on, were on, said Cardinal coach Lyn Smith. We dont ask him to score, we just ask him to get us in a rhythm. Corey came in and crashed the offensive boards and finished inside.Smith also said he planned on trapping defensively and pushing the envelope offensively. However, he said he is not completely satisfied with the speed he feels his team could show.Andre Overholt did what he could to help the Wolverines, slashing and dishing, occasionally finding Landon Schlabach for an open three. Overholt and Schlabach each hit two three-pointers and finished with eight points. Fidal Wilkins hit from the field with a few nice jumpshots and led the Wolverines with 11 points.Polk actually led after the first quarter by a point, but was outscored in the next eight minutes 20-5. Polk was then outscored 31-20 in the second half.Prior to the game, Polk head coach Craig Culbreth said, Were getting good shots right now and theyre just not falling.Landrum and Polk face each other in a rematch on Friday, this time at Landrum.