Prep Hoops: Bulldogs even conference record by downing Redbirds
Harrisburg limited West Frankfort to just a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter to earn a 48-42 victory over the Redbirds Friday night at Davenport Gym.
That win means coach Randy Smithpeters and company are back to even in the SIRR Ohio after earning their third conference win.
Harrisburg (9-10, 3-3) also evened its home record in the process behind 20 points from junior Isaiah Saulsberry who was one of several Bulldogs who had been feeling under the weather.
West Frankfort senior Austin Glodich had 15 points for the Redbirds (8-11, 0-6), but just three of those came in the second half.
“I think we defended well, and I thought we adjusted at halftime and did much better the second half,” said Smithpeters. “Glodich really hit some big shots, and a lot of them, in the first half.”
The Bulldogs trailed by two at intermission, but managed to pull in front, 37-34, after the third quarter thanks to a Noah Ferrell triple to close the period.
Senior Jordan Gould was another Bulldog in double figures with 12 points.
“I thought we ran our offense pretty well. We were patient and got good shots,” said Smithpeters. “We got down a little bit, we fought back, and then when we got up and got a little cushion, we were able to hold onto it.”
Ferrell added seven points for HHS. Hunter Smith scored four, Carson Burtis hit a 3-pointer and Jordan Bartok dropped in an acrobatic layup in the third quarter for his field goal.
Bartok’s offensive rebound with his club leading by six with 1:06 remaining was a key moment down the stretch which allowed the Bulldogs to control more of the clock.
“All of the conference games are big games, and we’re fighting there,” said Smithpeters. “I’ve got to pat this group on the back for getting all they can out of themselves right now. We can do a little bit better, and we want to do better. We work to get better every game, and there were things tonight that we want to correct.”
Noah Allen and Keegan Thrash each scored eight points for the Redbirds.
Harrisburg had won by 11 points in its first meeting against the Redbirds at Max Morris Gym Dec. 9.
The Bulldogs will travel to Massac County next Friday before meeting Goreville Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in Benton’s Rich Herrin Shootout. HHS returns home Tuesday, Feb. 7 when it hosts Du Quoin.
West Frankfort 10 10 14 08 - 42
Harrisburg 10 08 18 11 - 48
WF (42): Glodich 7 1-2 15, Allen 3 0-0 8, Thrash 3 2-2 8, Sturghill 1 0-0 2, Hammers 3 0-0 7, Johnson 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 3-4 42.
HBG (48): Saulsberry 6 7-10 20, Gould 5 2-2 12, Smith 2 0-0 4, Ferrell 3 0-0 7, Bartok 1 0-0 2, Burtis 1 0-0 3. Totals 18 9-12 48.
3-pointers: WF 3 (Allen 2, Hammers), HBG 3 (Saulsberry, Ferrell, Burtis). Team Fouls: WF 14, HBG 9. Technicals: Glodich. Records: WF is 8-11 (0-6 SIRR Ohio), HBG is 9-10 (3-3 SIRR Ohio). JV final: WF 58-55.