By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
Hokes Bluff boys basketball coach Jeff Noah is getting well
acquainted with the Glencoe Yellow Jackets.
The two cross-county rivals met for the third time in a
little over a week on Wednesday (Jan. 21) in the Etowah County Basketball
Tournament semifinals.
“This is a big rivalry game for both schools and we
usually get after each other,” said Noah following the Eagles’ 62-50 victory.
“Our guys are unselfish and we play together.”
The Eagles (16-6) advanced to Friday’s championship game
against either Sardis or Glencoe.
Hokes Bluff placed three players in double figures on their
way to the win. Kaden Moore score scored a game-high 21 points, followed by
Phillip Ward with 12 and Fisher Simmons with 10. Murrell Shields added nine
points for the Eagles.
The first quarter was back and fourth, with the Eagles
jumping to a 5-0 lead. Glencoe fought back and led 13-11 lead after the opening
stanza.
The speed of the Hokes Bluff defense began to take a toll on
Glencoe, forcing numerous turnovers. The Eagles eventually took a 25-24 lead
into the locker room at halftime.
The third period proved to be the Yellow Jackets’ downfall,
as Hokes Bluff held Glencoe to only four field goals. The Eagles led 40-36
after three quarters.
Hokes Bluff out scored Glencoe 24-14 over the final eight
minutes, with Moore scoring 10 of his points in the fourth quarter.
Garrison Clowdus led Glencoe with 16 points followed by Pace
Ozmint with 11 and Dalton Roberts with eight.