Photo: Sardis High’s Luke Martin goes in for a layup during the Lions’ 73-48 victory over Locust Fork at the Valley Head Invitational on Dec. 19. (Courtesy of Average Joe’s Sports Talk)
The Class 5A, No. 9 Sardis boys basketball team posted a 3-0 record to win the championship of the Valley Head Invitational for the second year in a row.
Sardis (14-2, 3-0) opened the tournament Dec. 19 by whipping Locust Fork, 73-48, in the quarterfinals. The Lions led 18-14, 38-25 and 50-43 at the rest stops.
Luke Martin’s 24 points paced Sardis’ attack. He added three steals and two assists. Eli Morton contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals, while Andrew Felter chipped in nine points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
In the semifinals on Dec. 20, the Lions pulled away in the third quarter to knock off Class 2A No. 3 Collinsville, 58-41. Sardis owned leads of 11-10, 25-22 and 40-28 at the rest stops.
Morton’s double-double of 22 points and 14 boards powered the Lions. He also blocked two shots. Conner Lowery finished with eight points, seven rebounds and three steals.
In the finals on Dec. 21, Sardis outscored Whitesburg Christian of Huntsville, 81-79, as Morton, Kason Moore and Martin combined for 61 points.
The Lions were in front 23-17 after the first quarter, but Whitesburg rallied for a 39-37 advantage at intermission. Sardis went up 61-55 at the third quarter break.
Morton racked up a double-double of 24 points and 18 rebounds and added two steals. Moore totaled 20 points and three assists, while Martin finished with 17 points, nine boards and four assists.
On Dec. 27, Alexandria edged Sardis, 66-64, at the Supreme Courts Holiday Tournament in Guntersville.
Trailing 19-9 after one quarter, the Lions rallied to take a 30-25 lead at halftime before the Valley Cubs went ahead 50-46 entering the final eight minutes.
Morton finished with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Moore and Martin each scored 11 points, followed by Carson Gillilan with 10.