Vining leads Ads past HVA
HARDIN VALLEY — Coming into last week, the Farragut boys basketball team looked to shake off the previous week’s rivalry loss to Bearden.
The Admirals did that in a big way, dispatching Hardin Valley 81-61 for a district win on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The win kept FHS in the running for second place as they ran away from a Hardin Valley team that had beaten Oak Ridge 70-63 just a few days prior.
“Coach (Andy) Arendt and his team had a massive win Friday, so I had a lot of concern about where we would be because they’ve played so well at home lately,” Farragut coach J.P. Burris said. “But we had a good start and the guys really responded to practice well on Sunday and Monday. Our guys knew what was on the line, and this was a big one.”
Reid Vining led Farragut with a career-high 29 points while Parker Lane totaled 25 on the night.
Meanwhile, Mike Fritts scored 17 points for HVA with Kymani Smith at 16 points and Kristian Oliver with 12 points.
Vining’s night started early, as he poured in 13 points in the first quarter alone.
“In the first half, they really didn’t double-team me as much,” Vining said. “So I just went up and over, trying to play off two and go up strong.”
The team fed off his approach, pulling ahead 25-10 at the first-quarter mark with a 50-21 lead at the halftime break.
That theme continued through the second half, as Vining’s hot start set the tone for a district rout.
“I love it,” Vining said. “The adrenaline of a game, it’s one of the biggest reasons I play.”
The Bearden loss was rough, but we knew we just needed to come in and get a good win and put it behind us.”
