If it feels like it’s been a while since the South Warren boys played a basketball game, that’s because it’s been a while since the South Warren boys played a basketball game. Seven days ago, the Spartans defeated Henderson County by a bucket, the team’s fourth victory in five games. One week later, two hours up the road in Lebanon, Tony Hopper brought his club to Marion County High School for the final game in the Autism Classic.
First quarter against the host school, Marion County, went quite well for South Warren, as Dayton Gumm scored 13 points, including the first 11 Spartans points. Multiple steals helped him to transition scores, and MCHS recognized quickly that he was the fastest player on the floor. He finished with 30 for the game. Brandon Stacker would add 21 points, but the supporting cast also contributed. On a night where Dylan Beckham couldn’t stay on the floor as the foul calls were both swift and brutal, Jaxson Smith scored seven and Chandler Stephanski and Cameron Buckner both finished with five.
A ten point game at the half and the lead slowly expanded, then hit 20, and would finish at 19. Gumm’s 30 points come after a week where he didn’t shoot much in practice, nursing a sore wrist. Apparently, it felt pretty good in Lebanon, Kentucky at the Autism Classic. He was named Bluegrass Cellular Player of the Game in addition to Autism Classic Player of the Game.
South Warren cruised in the second half and left Marion County as winners of their fifth game of the past six the Spartans have played. The road gets tougher on Tuesday as Tony Hopper’s crew plays Warren Central on the road. STBN coverage begins at 5:50, just prior to the girls tip.
FINAL: SOUTH WARREN 73, MARION COUNTY 54
SW: Gumm 30, Stacker 21
MC: Means 10, Wethington 10, Lez Means 9
