Sports
Lancers Squander Fast Start, Fall to South Gallia
By: Will Collins
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The Federal Hocking Lancers came out hot from the first tip tonight at home in McInturf Gymnasium, but they were upset by the lights out play of Braxton Hardy and the South Gallia Rebels (3-9, 2-6 TVC-Hocking) tonight 51-46.
The Lancers (2-10, 2-7 TVC-Hocking) scored early and often in the first quarter, led by the tenacious play of Senior, Branden Gould, and would find themselves up 15-6 after buckets by Gould, Nate Massie, Hunter Smith, and Michael Johns.
Although in the second quarter it was a different story, Fed Hock’s offensive burst wasn’t there, and the South Gallia defense began to pick apart the holes in the Lancers’ defense. Braxton Hardy came alive for the Rebels scoring 15 points in the first half.
According to Federal Hocking Head Coach Kevin Dunigan, “Our Achilles heel all season long has been the second quarter. For some reason when we get into the second quarter, we take our foot off the gas, or get tired, but we need to figure that out.”
By the end of the first half, the Rebels had gotten themselves back into the game, and at half the Lancers and the Rebels were tied at 23.
When the squads came out for the second half, there was a difference in the way each squad carried themselves. South Gallia returned to the court with momentum, and confidence, and even though the Lancers did not seem as confident, it did not mean that they were going to go quietly.
After having a big first half, the Lancer defense limited Braxton Hardy to just three points, and late in the third quarter, the Lancers tied the game again at 34. Federal Hocking’s efforts to get back into the game themselves though just wouldn’t be enough, because South Gallia began to pull away going into the final quarter.
South Gallia was able to take advantage of Lancer fouls at the free throw line, which helped preserve their winning effort. Braxton Hardy led South Gallia with 18 points in the contest, and was closely followed by Eli Ellis, who had 12 for the Rebels.
In a game in which both teams attempted to make a comeback, Fed Hock’s efforts fell short despite great offensive efforts from Nate Massie who had 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks, Hunter Smith and Brad Russell, who both had 9 points, and Branden Gould, who led all Lancer scorers with 10 points on the night.
The Lancers fall to 2-9 and 2-7 in TVC-Hocking play, but have a chance to get back in the win column and avenge an early season loss when they travel to Southern to take on the Tornadoes.