Cardinals shake cold start on way to 66-39 victory

By Michelle Watson

After a slow start, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura boys found their groove and cruised to a 30-point victory over North Union (2-12, 2-14) at home on Friday, Feb. 1.

“We haven’t played our best basketball coming into games on back-to-back nights and we came out to a very slow start.  They were able to make some shots early and got us playing on our heels in the first half,” said Coach Jake Young.

The first half was not pretty for the Cardinals, who fell behind in the first quarter, 14-12.  The two teams traded baskets in the second quarter and headed to the locker room in a 21-21 tie.

The Cards refocused at halftime and came back with a different attitude.  The shots started to fall.  An 11-point run in the third quarter gave GHV a 36-28 lead.  By the start of the fourth quarter, the Cards managed a 13-point lead, 49-36.

A 14-point unanswered run in the fourth quarter moved GHV ahead even more, 66-39.  The bench was cleared for the remaining minutes of the game.  Ty Abele hit a three-point shot with :09 remaining for the 71-41 victory.

“We put together a great second half.  It was also good to see all the seniors get quality minutes in their last home game of the season,” said Young.  “I can’t wait to see what this team can do in the post-season.”

Three players reached double figures.  James Betz led the team with 24-points.  Landon Dalbeck and Justin Reding had 14 and 13 points respectively.  Brody Boehnke had six points and Jared Graham added five.

Betz led the team under the boards with eight rebounds.  Graham grabbed seven, while Zach Suby hauled in four.

Dalbeck dished out seven assists to lead the team.  Graham had five and Reding had three assists.

Betz and Kevin Meyers led the team in steals with two apiece.  Dalbeck and Reding had one blocked shot each.