A scoreless second quarter proved too much to overcome Tuesday for Polk County, the Wolverines dropping a 70-51 decision to Cherryville in a nonconference boys basketball matchup at Polk.

The Wolverines (0-4) led 16-15 at the end of a competitive first period. But Polk suddenly could not get a shot to drop, with 3-pointers, layups and even free throws refusing to fall.

Cherryville (3-1) capitalized with 18 points in the second period to build a 33-16 halftime lead.

Polk County’s Qualon Sutton finally broke the drought with a rebound and basket with 7:20 left in the third, and the Wolverines closed to within 11 at 34-23 on a Clark Phipps basket. But the Ironmen fashioned a 13-3 run to build a 47-26 advantage late in the third period and cruised the remainder of the evening.

Phipps finished with 18 points to lead Polk County. Tyler Staley, in his first game since joining the squad from the Wolverine football program, hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the first quarter and finished with four 3-pointers and 14 points.

Sutton had six points, with Peyton Dill adding five, Keyandre Thomas scoring four and Dominique Carson and Amir Gary each scoring two.

Cherryville’s Lane Harrill had a game-high 24 points and Nathan Jeffers and Lavonte Hughes each score 12 for the Ironmen.

Polk County returned to action on Wednesday, traveling to Highland Tech for another nonconference clash.

– Submitted by PolkSports.com