By Chris McCarthy/Editor
Helped by a 25-point output from Jaxson Haygood, Sardis cruised past West End, 63-44, in the opening round of the Etowah County Basketball Tournament on Tuesday (Jan. 20) at Gadsden State.
The Lions (11-10) face Southside in Thursday’s semifinal round.
Sardis, which led from start to finish, torched the Patriots on the perimeter with eight 3-point baskets. Haygood knocked down three treys, all in the first half, as the Lions built a 29-18 lead at intermission.
Jesse Hubbard and Jacob Holland each scored eight points for Sardis.
“Jaxon has got to score for us, and when he does, we’re a better basketball team,” said Sardis head coach Zach Wallace. “We knew that West End was going to play hard and attack us from the dribbling standpoint, and we were able to match their intensity. We’re also taller and longer than they are, and we took advantage of our opportunities in the post.”
Haygood’s three-pointer in the game’s first minute triggered a 15-3 Sardis run that was capped by Holland’s trey with three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Following a timeout, the Patriots pulled within 15-8 at the start of the second period.
That was as close as West End would get. The Lions opened the second quarter with a 14-2 stretch and led by double digits the rest of the way.
Haygood scored 10 points in the third period as Sardis stretched is advantage to 49-29.
Hunter Tarvin led the Patriots with 11 points, followed by Andre Little and Dylan Gregory with eight each.