Gritty, scrappy battle goes to Hawks, 74-60

HALLS — The basketball game was gritty and scrappy, and each side was assessed a technical foul. There was almost an altercation between players after the final horn sounded.

When it was over, Hardin Valley Academy’s boys’ team had won its first game of the young season with a 74-60 victory on the road over Halls Friday night, Nov. 17.

“It was a very physical game,” Hawks head coach Andy Arendt said. “I felt like there could have been a lot more free throws shot. Our kids played hard.”

“They jumped on us early,” Red Devils head coach Clint Sharp said. “They came out physical and ready to play.”

Using their superior height and athleticism, the Hawks took control early, and by midway through the second period the outcome was never in doubt. HVA had balance both in scoring and on the boards. “I’ve got nine kids I think I can play, seven of which I think there’s not much drop off,” Arendt said, “We have a chance to be really good.”

“We got a lot of guys,” HVA junior post Will Fellers said. “I trust everyone on the bench to come in and play well for us.”

Five players scored for the Hawks, up 17-8 after one quarter. HVA then ran off 13 straight to make it 30-10, but Halls cut it to 32-20 with nine straight points. The half ended 37-24.

The Devils outscored Hardin Valley 11-4 to open the third and cut its lead to six, 41-35. But a 12-6 run to finish the quarter made it 53-41 after three. The closest Halls would get in the fourth would be 11.

Junior Barron Scheetz led the Hawks with 23 points. Junior Ben Brophy added 15 and junior Patrick Carey got 10.