In a tight back-and-forth, drowned-out type of game, the Russellville boys’ basketball team was able to edge Warren East, 66-62, on Tuesday night at Raider Gym.
From start to finish, the two sides competed at a high level, exchanging baskets one after another and never taking a play off. Warren East led 10-6 after the first quarter before Russellville went up 23-18 at halftime and then held a 42-40 advantage after three.
It was a big fourth quarter that helped the Panthers – who are now 2-0 on the season – pull out the road victory.
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“To be able to come out on the road tonight and close out like we did, we made free throws down the stretch, took care of the ball down the stretch, locked up defensively down the stretch,” first-year Russellville coach Rex Booth said. We didn’t quit – and I’m pleased – not with the first 30 minutes of the game, but the last two quarters were pretty good.”
Jacob Naylor finished with a game-high 20 points – 15 of those coming in the second half, including nine in the fourth – while Devin Quarles scored 12 and Elijah Kemp added 11.
Naylor sort of struggled with his three-point shot in the first half but responded with a pair of big threes in the final period to help Russellville seal it.
Boys’ hoops: Warren East-Russellville finish: https://t.co/K4tbVhlTj6
— The Sporting Times (@sportingtimes) December 6, 2017
“First half, it wasn’t falling as much – I’ve just now been getting in the gym from football – but I knew it’d start falling eventually,” Naylor said. “Second half, I came out and it finally started falling but I know I’ve just gotta keep shooting it and it’ll fall.”
After holding multiple leads throughout the game, a young Warren East (0-3) team that is still trying to find itself struggled to maintain consistency down the stretch. The Raiders trailed by just two at 42-40 after three, but the Panthers quickly jumped out to a 7-0 start in the fourth to take control of most of the momentum.
East – who was led by Brevon Whitney’s 18 points (11-of-11 on free throws) – was able to battle back and even led 54-53 with 2:49 left but just couldn’t get out of its own way.
“Our inexperience showed there late in the game,” Warren East head coach Brandon Combs said. “We’re a work in progress. I think we’ll be a totally different team after Christmas. We had some key guys foul out and our inexperience really showed then.”
Prior to Tuesday’s tight win at Warren East, Russellville had to battle for a 53-45 win last week over Allen County-Scottsville to tipoff its season. In both of the two contests, the Panthers were tested and had to respond effectively.
They were able to do so by being mentally tough – one of the main things that Coach Booth has been teaching to his club.
“We talk about this before every game – and it’s mental toughness. It’s something the hear a lot and something they’re gonna continue to hear,” said Booth. “We showed that on the end. That was the number one key to victory tonight and the number one key every single night. We showed that down the stretch.”
Russellville returns to action Friday with a trip to Todd County Central for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. Warren East will be on the floor at the same time on Friday, playing at District 14 opponent South Warren.
Senior writer Tyler Mansfield can be reached at mansfield.sportingtimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @_TylerMansfield.
