PREP BASKETBALL: Pioneers’ defense halts Bearcats

BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

LEBANON, Va. – Robert Jones takes pride in defense.

The junior guard relies on his quickness, strength and savvy to frustrate quicker and bigger opponents on a routine basis.

Jones offered an example of his varied talents Tuesday, as the Lebanon Pioneers stopped Virginia High, 48-33, in a critical Clinch Mountain District game.

“We go after it and work hard every day on defense in practice,” said Jones, who held potent VHS guard Corey Young to a season-low two points. “We’re always learning, and we want to play even better than this.’

Lebanon (8-1) improved to 2-0 in CMD play, while VHS (8-2) is 0-1.

“This might be our biggest win of the season,” Lebanon coach Thad Lambert said. “I think our district is one of the best in the state, so you have to play well.”

VHS never found a comfort zone against the Lebanon man-to-man falling behind by margins of 21-9 and 34-18.

Cody Compton supplied 15 points for Lebanon, while long-armed 6-3 junior Jerome Cobb provided the interior defense

“It’s hard to get kids to play tough defense, but guys like it,” Lambert said. “They practice hard and play hard.

“Cobb is one heck of a defender, and Jones nearly always guards the best player on the opposing team.”

Six-foot-five VHS senior Josh Moore was also held to a season-low with just five points.

“Lebanon was just the better team tonight, plain and simple,” VHS coach Jason Stevens said. “We knew this would be a tough matchup.  “Lebanon knocked down the shots and we didn’t.”

The frustrated Stevens played mostly reserves in the fourth quarter

VIRGINIA HIGH (33) – Young 2, Jordan 4, Arnett 4, Tignor 9, Mink 1, Anderson 2, Gibson 1, Eccleston 2, Moore 5, McCall 3. Totals 10 9-17 19.
LEBANON (48) – J. Cobb 4, Jones 7, Jessee 6, Hendrickson 3, Bush 2, K. Cobb 7, Compton 15, Smith 4. Totals 14 18-26 48.
Virginia High 8 6 5 14–33
Lebanon 9 16 13 10–48
3-point goals-VHS 4 (Arnett 2, Moore, Tignor). Lebanon 2 (Hendrickson, Compton). Technical fouls-VHS coach Stevens.

GIRLS

Va. High 45, Lebanon 20

Savanah Pippin collected 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks as the Bearcats improved to 8-2.

“I’m delighted to have that record,” VHS coach Barry Reed said. “We only returned one starter, but the girls are playing good defense. We’re still searching a little on offense, but you can win with defense.

Allie Smith led Lebanon with 13 points.

VIRGINIA HIGH (45) – Hutt 5, Delap 7, Thomas 9, Pippin 15, H. Smith 3, Collins 6. Totals 14 17-31 45.
LEBANON (20) – A. Smith 13, K. Smith 2, Bowman 1, Cox 4, Helbert 0. Totals 7 5-8 20.
Virginia High 14 10 13 8–45
Lebanon 5 5 2 8–20
3-point goals-VHS none, Lebanon 1 (A. Smith).

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