HANCEVILLE – West Point overcame a woeful first half of shooting and scoring to rally and defeat the Good Hope Raiders 43-32 in the quarterfinals of the Cullman County Basketball Tournament at Wallace State's Tom Drake Coliseum Monday night.
West Point produced 33 points in the second half, following a first half of 10 points between two scorers and just 4-of-18 from the floor.
The Warriors adjusted at halftime and responded with 9-of-14 from two-point territory, 3-of-5 in 3-point field goals and 7-of-10 from the line.
The percentages improved tremendously, along with a stout defense that forced four consecutive Good Hope turnovers to begin the third quarter and ignite the Warriors on a 9-0 run.
Good Hope led 15-10 at halftime as Kallen Sharpton, Matt Cofer and Blake Lyle all scored five points for the Raiders.
The bad start taking care of the ball in the third kept the Raiders from maintaining the lead, with West Point scoring nine straight to move in front 19-15.
West Point won the third quarter scoring by a 15-8 margin and carried a 25-23 lead into a wild fourth period.
Isaac McDonald put the Raiders back in front with a 3-pointer, then Warriors Kolby Sullins, Rylan Jones and Brandon Farley took back the lead, extending it by hitting their last six free throw attempts.
Jones, scoreless at the break, led the comeback with 10 points, Sullins and Kolton Sapp scored nine each, Farley had seven, Alex Hernandez six and Austin Dubberly two.
For the game, the Warriors were 12-of-24 in two-point shots, 4-of-13 from 3-point land and 7-of-10 at the line. They are now 9-15 on the season and will play Holly Pond in the semis Friday at 6:15 p.m.
Good Hope fell to 13-10. Leading the Raiders was Blake Lyle with 11, Cofer eight, Sharpton seven and McDonald six. Good Hope converted 5-of-14 field goals, just 7-of-26 3-point tries and one free throw.
Fairview 53, Vinemont 2 (Girls):
Fairview's sixth straight victory and 20th on the season was controlled by an 18-0 first quarter lead for the No. 2 Lady Aggies.
It was 32-2 at halftime and 47-2 following the third period.
Center Abbi Taylor was 9-of-11 shooting, scoring 18 points, getting eight rebounds and blocking four shots for the Lady Aggies. Jada Golden collected 12 on 6-of-11 from the field, plus eight rebounds and two assists.
Taylor Yeager scored seven, Abby Schnittker six, Daiyla Dean and McKinna Yearwood four and Jordan Moore two. Fairview has a 7:30 p.m. assignment in the semifinal round Thursday.
The only basket scored by Vinemont came from Sarah Smith in the paint with 5:20 to play in the second quarter.
Good Hope 56, Fairview 35 (JV semifinal):
A close first half gave way to not-so-close second, controlled by the No. 1 seed Raiders with a 21-4 run in the third quarter that gave them a 46-27 advantage.
The Raiders trailed 6-0 early, then got things going to get the game tied at 15-15 after the opening quarter.
Good Hope stayed hot as the Raiders hit 13 field goals in the final two quarters to punch their ticket to Saturday's title game at 4 p.m.
Cole Maddox netted 16 for the Raiders with Drew Maddox hitting 13, Josiah Cofer and Landyn Freeman eight each, Michael Lowe six, Noah Fendley three and Matt Hancock two.
Fairview was led by Austin Turner with 12, Kole Robinson seven, Slade Ryan six, Devan Jennings four and Zane Miller two.
Tuesday's schedule:
JV: Holly Pond vs. West Point 5 p.m.
Girls: West Point vs. Good Hope 6:15 p.m.
Varsity: Fairview vs. Hanceville 7:30 p.m.
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