Hornets beat Breck; fall late to South Warren
The Hornets secured an important victory when they knocked off Breckinridge County 48-42 at HCHS Friday. The victory put Hancock County at 2-0 in 11th District play.
Hancock County played an excellent first half, winning the first two quarters.
Kaleb Keown hit a “3” in the first frame and the Hornets led 10-5 at the first horn. Keown, Evan Ferry and Ryan Ogle all hit from downtown in the second period and the halftime score was 25-19.
Devyn Powers took his turn splashing a “3” from beyond the arc in the third and Ogle scored two baskets. The Hornet defense limited the Tigers to eight points in the frame and Hancock’s lead grew to eight points as they led 35-27 heading to the fourth.
Both teams struggled offensively throughout much of the second half, but Luke Brown hit two big shots in the final period to help his team stay ahead. Breck’s Hunter Barr was a force as the big man scored 12 of the Fighting Tigers’ 15 points over the final eight minutes.
Cole Dixon converted from the field and from the foul line in the fourth while Powers hit another “3” for HCHS. Ogle was 2 for 2 at the line to help the Hornets seal the win.
Hancock shot 45% from the field and made 8 of 14 from the charity stripe. Breck shot 39% from the field and were 4 of 6 from the line.
Ogle led offensively with 13 points, with eight rebounds. Keown had 11 points, eight boards and three steals, Dixon had nine points, three boards and five steals, Powers had six points, Ferry had five, with four assists and two steals, and Brown had four points, three rebounds and two assists.
Barr finished with 23 points to lead Breck County.
South Warren
The Hornets took a tough loss at home Saturday when South Warren came from behind to win 42-39.
Powers and Dixon knocked down shots to lead Hancock County to a 13-7 edge in the first quarter. South Warren won the second frame, but the Hornets led 23-21 at intermission.
The Hancock defense shut down the Spartans in the third while Powers hit a 3-point basket and Keown and Ferry both scored. The Hornets lead was 31-25 with eight minutes on the clock.
The Spartans found their range and turned things around in the fourth. South Warren out scored Hancock 19-8 during the fourth quarter to pull out the come-from-behind win.
Hancock shot 40% from the field and were 6 of 11 from the stripe. South Warren shot 33% and made 8 of 11 from the foul line.
The Spartans won the battle of the boards 29-21.
Powers led with 15 points (three 3’s), and Keown had 11 points, five boards and three assists. Dixon had seven points and five boards, Ferry had four points, four boards and three assists, and Ogle had two points, six boards, three assists and three blocked shots.
By Steve Wimmer
