PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: James River rushes past Honaker

By: TriCities Staff | TriCities.com
Published: March 06, 2010

BY LLOYD COMBS
Sports Correspondent
SALEM, Va.– Honaker expected James River to have quick feet, but it was the Knights’ quick hands that gave the Tigers the most trouble.

James River knocked off the Tigers, 69-48, in the Group A, Division 1 quarterfinals Friday night at Salem Civic Center.

After forcing 12 turnovers in the first half, the Knights forced four more early in the second half and it fueled a 15-1 run that gave James River (26-2) a 44-21 lead.

The Knights’ ballhawking defense, combined with some sloppy passing by Honaker, resulted in 22 turnovers by the Tigers and 16 steals for James River.

Four players had two or more steals for James River, led by point guard Ethan Humprhies with six. When it wasn’t turning the ball over Honaker shot poorly, going 29.6 percent (16-of-54) from the field.

“We made some hard passes when an easy one was staring us in the face,” Honaker coach Waylon Hart said. “Give James River credit. They have quick hands.

“They played angles well, they’re a smart team. I’m not taking anything away from though, but we made too many silly mistakes.”

Honaker (12-14) got four 3-pointers and 12 points from Ethan Davis, 13 points from Clark Dye and 11 rebounds and six points from Cory Brown.

Patrick Bennett scored a game-high 21 points to lead four James River players in double figures. Humphries added 12 points, Jordan Talbott 11 and John Bennett 10 for the Knights.

When it wasn’t turning Honaker turnovers into points in transition, James River attacked the basket frequently against the Tigers and shot 53.8 percent (28-of-52) from the floor, including a 58.3 percent second half.

“We had too many breakdowns on defense,” Hart said.

Honaker fell behind by double digits early, but battled back late in the first half. James River forced seven turnovers in the first quarter and took a 21-8 lead.

Davis led a 12-6 Honaker run in the second quarter. His deep 3 got the Tigers within 27-20 with 35 seconds remaining in the first half.

“We played hard, like we always do,” Hart added. “We battled back, we just made too many mistakes.”

James River’s biggest lead was 29, at 63-34, with 5:10 remaining. It was Honaker’s first appearance in the state tournament since 2003.