Prep Hoops: Bulldogs Strike Back
Staff Report
HARRISBURG- Heading into Tuesday night, Harrisburg was desperate for a conference win. The Bulldogs had dropped their first pair of SIRR Ohio contests, but were able to get in the win column this time with a 63-50 victory over Benton at Davenport Gym.
"It's a very important conference win," said Harrisburg coach Randy Smithpeters. "We were wanting to get back in that conference race, and we were able to do that. With a conference game this Friday (at Murphysboro) and a conference game next Friday (vs Herrin), the standings can change drastically in that amount of time."
Fresh off earning Eldorado Holiday Tournament MVP honors, senior Bahari Amaya was limited to just one first half field goal against the Rangers (7-7, 0-3). But Amaya helped HHS (10-4, 1-2) pull away after halftime and finished with 18 on the night.
The Bulldogs enjoyed a 27-25 halftime lead and saw their lead extend to 46-37 after three periods.
Junior Anfernee Houston scored 14 points for the Bulldogs and Corbin Crim-Harbison added 11 second half points.
Carson Batts finished with eight points, freshman Isaiah Saulsberry dropped in seven points off the bench, and Blake Drue added five.
Harrisburg converted on all but one charity toss in the fourth quarter to help return the favor against the Rangers who had gotten past Harrisburg last month at the Goreville Tournament, 48-46.
Sophomore Derek Oxford paced Benton with 15 points. Kruz Hayes and Brendan Ritchason both dropped in 14 points for the Rangers. Those three individuals accounted for all of Benton's offense in the first half.
Harrisburg has now won five of its past six games and will travel to Murphysboro Friday night before hosting Eldorado Saturday.
Benton 15 10 12 13- 50
Harrisburg 11 16 19 17- 63
Benton (50): Oxford 6 0-1 15, McDaniel 1 2-3 4, Owens 0 0-0 0, Hayes 5 2-2 14, Ritchason 7 0-2 14, Wills 1 0-0 3. Totals 20 4-8 50.
Harrisburg (63): Amaya 5 6-6 18, Drue 2 1-1 5, Houston 6 0-1 14, Batts 3 0-0 8, Crim-Harbison 4 3-5 11, Saulsberry 2 2-3 7. Totals 22 12-16 63.
3-pointers: Benton 6 (Oxford 3, Hayes 2, Wills); Harrisburg 7 ( Amaya 2, Houston 2, Batts 2, Saulsberry). Team Fouls: Benton 16; Harrisburg 16. Fouled Out: Owens. Records: Benton is 7-7 (0-3 SIRR Ohio). Harrisburg is 10-4 (1-2 SIRR Ohio). JV Final- Harrisburg 52-34.