Semoball

Electric start helps Senath-Hornersville secure first district win since 2004, eliminate Twin Rivers 63-54 in C3D1 quarterfinal

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Senath-Hornersville's Parker Rhew is guarded by Twin Rivers Blane Pruitt in a Class 3, District 1 boys basketball quarterfinal Tuesday at Senath-Hornersville High School.

SENATH - The first quarter proved to be the difference in Monday’s Class 3, District 1 boys basketball quarterfinal between the No. 4 seeded Senath-Hornersville Lions and the No. 5 seeded Twin Rivers Royals.

After playing Twin Rivers to 6-6 stalemate during the first four minutes of play, Senath-Hornersville scored 15 unanswered points to move ahead 21-6 and continued to lead 21-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Twin Rivers made up ground the rest of the way but never completely caught host Senath-Hornersville who secured its first district tournament win since 2004 with a 63-54 victory.

"We just wanted to come out ready,” Senath-Hornersville coach Kurt Penn said. “We’ve came up short in a few big games this year. I think that really fueled us to start this one hot. I thought we got off to a great start in the first half and again in the second half tonight."

Guards Parker Rhew and Jarrett Coronado helped fuel the Lions’ first-quarter spurt. Rhew, who finished with 17 points, penetrated to the basket to hit four contested 2-point shots to account the Lions’ first eight points. Coronado, who scored all nine of his points in the first quarter, followed with three consecutive 3-pointers to put Senath-Hornersville on top double digits.

“They were both due,” Penn said. “The past couple games they’ve struggled a little bit but we know they have the talent.”

Twin Rivers recovered quickly. Sophomore talent Colton Hargraves, who finished with a game-high 21 points, brought the Royals as close as 26-23 when he hit a contested 2-pointer with 2:55 left in the first half.

But Senath-Hornersville padded its lead back to 31-25 by the halftime break and also won the third quarter by 11 points to take its largest lead at 51-34 by the start of the fourth quarter.

Twin Rivers managed to cut the deficit back to single digits late but never got closer than eight points in the final eight minutes of play.

“We got down early,” Twin Rivers coach Seth McBroom said. “Senath-Hornersville played really well in the first quarter. We had a game plan but they countered it by making shots early. We were able to battle back in the second quarter but they made a nice little defensive switch in the third quarter by switching from man to zone. We went in a offensive lull when they switched to zone and they just kept hitting shots and finishing well around the basket.”

Senath-Hornersville forward Knolan Hunter penetrated to the basket frequently in the second half. Hunter recorded seven of his eight 2-point field goals in the third quarter on his way to a team-high 18 points.

“We want him to get downhill,” Penn said. “He can shoot it but he’s much better driving inside. We’ve worked with him on taking it to the basket and finishing. He stepped up in a big way tonight.”

Blaze Mears, who made 6 of 8 free throw attempts, also scored in double digits for the Lions with a dozen points.

Colby Jones scored eight points in the first half and six more in the second half on his way to a 14-point performance for Twin Rivers. Brandon Tompkins also finished in double digits for the Royals with 10 points.

Twin Rivers finishes its season with a record of 11-11. It graduates William Moore, Blane Pruitt, Brandon Tompkins, Jones, and Jackson.

“They are some great kids,” McBroom said of his five seniors. “They are top of the line people. They will definitely be missed."

Senath-Hornersville (13-10) will play at No. 1 seeded Thayer Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a Class 3, District 1 semifinal. Thayer (21-1) is currently ranked No. 4 in the latest Class 3 state poll. Thayer suffered its only loss to Viola, Arkansas, 66-62 on Jan. 7.

“We played Thayer last year in the district semifinal when I was at East Carter County,” Penn said. “So I know a little bit about them. They take care of the ball and pass it around until they get something they want. They hold their hat on defense so it will be tough game two hours away. They are a really good team but we are excited for the competition.”

No. 4 Senath-Hornersville 63, No. 5 Twin Rivers 54

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Senath-Hornersville21102012-63

TWIN RIVERS (54) - Colton Hargraves 21, Jagger Crismon 3, Blane Pruitt 2, Colby Jones 14, Trenton Green 2, Brandon Tompkins 10, Avery Jackson 2. FG 23, Ft 5/11, F 19. (3-pointers: Crismon 1, Hargraves 1, Jones 1; Fouled out: None.)

SENATH-HORNERSVILLE (63) - Parker Rhew 17, Jarret Coronado 9, Jaxon Layne 5, Knolan Hunter 18, Blaze Mears 12, Jesus Luna 2. FG 24, FT 11/19, F 16. (3-pointers: Coronado 3, Rhew 1; Fouled out: None.)

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